Qatar World Cup: FIFA threatens anti-gay hotels

FIFA has threatened to cancel the contracts of hotels and other service providers in Qatar for this year’s World Cup that discriminate against gay people after an investigation revealed some had refused to allow same-sex couples to stay.

The survey conducted by Danish and Swedish media also found World Cup hotels had asked customers to modify their behaviour during their visit, including one insisting that patrons do not ‘dress gay’.

According to NRK, SVT in Sweden and DR in Denmark, three hotels refused to accept the reservation from a gay couple, with one suggesting it would be against hotel policy to do so.

A further 20 hotels advised the couple to modify their behaviour to avoid public displays of affection during their stay.

While thirty-three hotels on the recommended list for the World Cup, which opens in Qatar on November 21, accepted the male couple could book, the survey found one third did not or had concerns.

FIFA reportedly held crisis talks with Qatari organisations after the investigation was published.

In a statement, FIFA pledged to ‘ensure that the hotels mentioned are once again made aware of our strict requirements in relation to welcoming guests in a non-discriminatory manner’.

‘Hotels, as well as any other service provider associated with the FIFA World Cup, who fail to comply with the high standards set by the organisers will have their contracts terminated,’ FIFA added in a statement to The Telegraph.

‘On top of that, the said requirements will continue to be reinforced in awareness raising sessions and subsequently monitored and evaluated through audits and inspections of hotels linked to the FIFA World Cup.’