England squad ‘to fly to Qatar World Cup on LGBTQ Pride plane’
England’s World Cup squad are to fly to Qatar aboard a Pride-themed jet.
The 26-strong team will travel on ‘Rain Bow’, a Virgin Atlantic A350 Airbus, the Sun reports.
It features a motif of Oscar — Virgin’s LGBTQ+ icon who wears rainbow-coloured laces— beneath the aircraft’s cabin.
Qatar’s strict anti-LGBTQ+ rules – authorities consider the cohabitation of unmarried women and men a crime – have come under the spotlight ever since the country was announced as the tournament’s host nation.
World Cup organisers have said that anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can come ‘without fear of any sort of repercussions.’
But one official warned rainbow flags could be confiscated to protect fans from being attacked for promoting gay rights.
England’s decision to fly aboard ‘Rain Bow’ in an act of defiance comes after the US Men’s National Soccer team also issued a clear red card to homophobia.
The team has showcased its support for the LGBTQ community with a rainbow-colored team logo at their training facility in Ar-Rayyan.
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With the days counting down until the World Cup, Amnesty International say that human rights abuses in Qatar ‘persist on a significant scale’.
Many football fans have decided to boycott the tournament and will not watch any games in protest.
England and Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy has said she will not watch the men’s World Cup because of Qatar’s laws which make homosexuality punishable by death.
She said: ‘I personally will be supporting the men’s team, but I won’t be watching. I think it’s hard to talk about. But at the end of the day, we’re one team here at England and we know that they have an opportunity to play at a World Cup. It’s hard to look beyond that really.’
Her comments were later echoed by Arsenal player and Ballon D’or runner-up Beth Mead.
Joe Lycett has this week demanded David Beckham forfeits his role as a paid ambassador for the World Cup, promising to shed £10,000 of his own money if the ex-footballer continues his support.
In August, the football legend confirmed his reported £10million deal with an advert promoting Qatar tourism released in September ahead of the major sporting event.
His collaboration sparked outrage among many, including television personality Rob Rinder, who accused the sports star of choosing ‘money over morals’.
In a video message, comedian Lycett has addressed Beckham directly and called for him to end his relationship with Qatar.
He added: ‘If you end your relationship with Qatar, I will donate ten grand of my own money (that’s a grand for every million you’re reportedly getting) to charities that support queer people in football.
‘However, if you do not, I will throw the money into a shredder at midday next Sunday, just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it right here. Not just the money, but also your status as gay icon will be shredded.’
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