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Khalid Salman, a former Qatari footballer who is also an ambassador for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, recently told German television broadcaster ZDF that homosexuality will cause 'damage in the mind', as Qatar prepares to host the global tournament, kicking off on November 20.
In an interview filmed in Doha, the former Qatari international spoke on the issue of homosexuality, which is illegal in the Muslim country. Given the history of their persecution of homosexuals, many players have raised questions on the rights of fans travelling to the event, especially the LGBT+ individuals and women, whom rights groups say Qatari laws discriminate against.
"They have to accept our rules here," Salman said, in an excerpt of the interview. "(Homosexuality) is haram. You know what haram (forbidden) means?" he said.
When asked why it was haram, Salman said, "I am not a strict Muslim but why is it haram? Because it causes damage in the mind."
The interview was immediately brought to a halt by the broadcasters and went the Qatar World Cup organisers were contacted by Reuters, they declined to comment along with world soccer's ruling body FIFA, who did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
Organisers of the competition have reiterated that people from all walks of life were welcome in the conservative country during the World Cup. Ahead of the marquee football event, FIFA also released a note requesting the national teams and the players to not bring politics into the World Cup.
"Please, let's now focus on the football!" FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Secretary Fatma Samoura were quoted as saying by Sky News.
"We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world. But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists. At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world," FIFA said in the letter.
"One of the great strengths of the world is indeed its very diversity, and if inclusion means anything, it means having respect for that diversity. No one people or culture or nation is 'better' than any other. This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination. And this is also one of the core values of football. So, please let us all remember that and let football take centre stage," the letter concluded.
