Qatar refused to receive the German national team plane bearing the gay logo. The plane returned to the Sultanate of Oman airport and was replaced by another plane that did not bear the logo.
Qatar has said all are welcome, including LGBTQ fans, but that visitors should respect the nation’s culture, in which public displays of affection by anyone are frowned on. With his country facing criticism over a number of issues, Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, recently argued it “has been subjected to an unprecedented campaign” that no host country has ever faced.