"Officials in Egypt and Iran are protesting the scheduling of a FIFA World Cup match between the two teams next June in Seattle, where local organizers had planned Pride festivities around the match. Both Middle Eastern countries are culturally conservative. In Iran, same-sex sexual activity can be punishable by death, and other expressions of gender and sexuality may be punished by imprisonment or flogging."
"In a statement released Tuesday, the Egyptian Football Association said it "categorically rejects the holding of any activities related to supporting homosexuality" during the June 26 match. The association has sent a formal letter to FIFA asking them to take action to "avoid including activities that could provoke cultural and religious sensitivities" among fans at the Seattle game. Officials in Iran also objected to the Iranian national team's participation in the match."
""We make no concessions to anyone when it comes to our beliefs," said Iranian sports minister Ahmad Donyamali in remarks on state TV Wednesday, adding that Iran had also complained directly to FIFA. In a statement, the local organizing group SeattleFWC26 said it would be "moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament.""
Egypt and Iran object to the scheduling of their FIFA World Cup match in Seattle next June coinciding with local Pride weekend programming. Egyptian officials formally asked FIFA to prevent activities that could "provoke cultural and religious sensitivities" and said they "categorically reject" any activities supporting homosexuality during the June 26 match. Iranian officials, including sports minister Ahmad Donyamali, said Iran would not concede on beliefs and complained to FIFA about the team's participation. Local Seattle organizers said they will proceed with community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and emphasized regional diversity and respect.
Read at www.npr.org
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