A few dozen people protested in front of the FIFA Museum in Zurich on Tuesday, November 8 to press for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community ahead of the World Cup hosted by Qatar.
Some football players have raised concerns over the rights of fans travelling to the event, especially members of LGBTQ+ communities and women.
The All Out group, which organised the Zurich protest, said the demonstration aimed to “make sure FIFA and Qatar know the world is watching and that citizens around the world expect action”.
All Out wants FIFA to pressure Qatar to decriminalise same-sex relations and protect the LGBTQ+ community, and says FIFA had not publicly committed to concrete steps that would ensure the safety of LGBTQ+ football fans, gay players, or the local LGBTQ+ community.
Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup, but the small nation has come under intense pressure for its treatment of foreign workers, women and members of LGBTQ+ communities.
