England fan 'forced to strip naked by Qatari officials' after being blocked from stadium

A Three Lions supporter was allegedly strip searched by security staff after turning up in rainbow clothing, despite FIFA confirming such items were allowed last week

Posted Wednesday, November 30, 2022 by Dailystar.co.uk

There's been several incidents involving rainbow clothing at the World Cup

An England fan claims to have been stripped search by Qatari officials after being blocked from entering a World Cup stadium.

There's been several incidents involving supporters and security staff throughout the tournament, with rainbow clothing causing particular issues in the Gulf nation where homosexuality is illegal. FIFA intervened last week to reaffirm that LGBTQ+ symbols would be allowed in grounds.

But yet another allegedly occurred ahead of Netherlands vs Qatar at the Al Bayt Stadium earlier today (November 29). Anthony Johnson, from London, was wearing a t-shirt with England's official badge in rainbow colours and a rainbow baseball cap when he was detained.

He told i news that he was forced to strip naked in front of one official. "We got to the main security at the stadium, I was asked to take my watch and belt off which I haven't been at the other eight games I have been to," Johnson explained.

"When I went through again, a big burly security guard screamed in my face 'You don't respect our culture'. They then wand-ed me down.

"The wand didn't activate but they said I had some metal on me and ushered me into a private area where they asked me to first take off my shorts, then my shoes, then take my pants down then my underwear then strip fully naked.

"Throughout, the guy was wand-ing my body and my clothes. He was almost apologetic by the end because it was obvious to us both he wouldn't find anything. That all lasted about 10 minutes."

Johnson's ordeal didn't end there as he said he was later asked to remove his hat, despite FIFA's recent guidance. He claims to have been told: "We don't care what FIFA say, we decide what comes in."

The Three Lions supporter defiantly stood firm and was eventually let in to watch the Netherlands beat hosts Qatar 2-0 after a different policeman allowed him to enter.