With authorization from FIFA, fans who went to watch the duel between Egypt and Iran, in the early hours of this Saturday (27), were able to take rainbow flags to the Lumen Field stadium, in Seattle (USA).
The match, valid for Group G, was named the Pride Game by Seattle’s local organizing committee because it is being held during the city’s LGBTQIA+ Pride weekend.
Egypt and Iran even protested after the draw in December, with the Egyptian Football Federation stating that such events conflict with their cultural and religious values.
On Wednesday (24), The Athletic website, the sports arm of The New York Times, quoted the Iranian Football Federation as saying: “No ceremonies or promotional activities associated with this movement should be present inside the stadium.”
FIFA, however, stated that the World Cup is “an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds” and that rainbow flags are permitted in the stadium.
Thus, a few fans displayed their LGBTQIA+ pride flags in the stands, but the central focus continued to be the World Cup.
One of the flags shown was from the Seattle Reign FC (women’s soccer) club, which is one of the organizers of Pride Month.
Along with Seattle Sounders FC and Starbucks, the Seattle Reign often raises a giant Progressive Pride flag above Lumen Field to kick off the celebrations.
In addition to the fans who entered with rainbow flags, there were also those who protested against FIFA’s authorization.
Outside the stadium, a truck was parked with a message to the organization painted on the side: “FIFA: No LGBT agenda. Let football be football.”
Just blocks from Capitol Hill, the Seattle neighborhood known for its vibrant LGBTQIA+ community, the packed crowd in Pioneer Square was largely focused on celebrating the World Cup games on big screens and in bars and restaurants.
The atmosphere outside the stadium was much more politicized.
Two hours before the start of the match, a scheduled march took over Western Avenue, in front of the stadium, in support of Reza Pahlavi, a prominent dissident from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hundreds of supporters of regime change in Iran marched peacefully, interrupted only by evangelists with microphones, while security personnel stood by without intervening.
A block away, a group of pro-Palestinian supporters created a makeshift soccer field on the cobblestone streets.
Another block away, at the edge of the fan zone, a group of street performers performed to an enthusiastic audience, in the first sign of organized Pride-related activity.
Com Reuters
