World Cup Security Confuses Moroccan Amazigh Flag with LGBT Symbol, Sparks Controversy

A confusion between the Amazigh (Berber) flag of Moroccan supporters and the LGBT rainbow emblem caused a heated discussion on Wednesday before the Morocco-Croatia match. While they wanted to enter a stadium in Qatar with an Amazigh flag, Moroccan supporters were denied access. A match agent confused their flag with the one in support of the LGBT community. "It’s normal! I swear!" the supporters exclaimed. "Why wouldn’t the Amazigh flag be allowed, why?" a man questioned. "After a heated discussion, the supporters were finally able to enter the stadium with their flag and watch the match," reports Brut.

After being banned, the flag will already be accepted in the stadiums throughout the World Cup. FIFA and Qatar would have assured the different federations that fans coming to the stadium with LGBT flags or other objects would no longer be confiscated by security at the entrances, reports The Independent.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. Article 285 of the Qatari Penal Code punishes sexual relations between people of the same sex with a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.