World Cup fans see double standard in stadium politics ban

DOHA : When is it and is not it acceptable to display a political banner at the World Cup in Qatar? The answer seems to depend largely on the political message, with fans criticising what they see as inconsistent enforcement of FIFA rules by the host country.

The first World Cup in the Middle East has been anything but insulated from the troubles of the volatile region, set against a backdrop of anti-government protests in Iran and an upsurge in Israeli-Palestinian violence.

But while airing pro-Palestinian sympathies has been allowed - people were even handing out "Free Palestine" T-shirts ahead of Argentina's match with Poland on Wednesday - security forces have clamped down on fans seeking to show support for protesters in Iran, who have been demanding an end to clerical rule there.

The contrast was laid bare this week outside the Al Thumama stadium. On Thursday, security ushered through hundreds of fans draped in flags, hats and scarves showing support for Palestine ahead of the Morocco v Canada match.

Two nights earlier, security at the same stadium confiscated items showing support for Iranian protesters, forcing fans to remove T-shirts and some flags ahead of Iran's crunch match against the United States.

As crowds dissipated after Iran's 1-0 defeat, Reuters journalists saw guards chase men in activist shirts through the stadium precinct, tackling one to the ground as he screamed the cry of Iran's anti-government protesters: "Woman Life Freedom".

Ahead of the match, FIFA's Human Rights department sent an email to fans who complained about treatment at earlier Iran matches, clarifying that 'Women.Life.Freedom' or the name or portrait of Mahsa Amini - the woman whose death in Iranian police custody sparked the unrest -