Billy Grant had to think quickly to get his Brentford ‘Bee Together’ flag into a stadium for the Three Lions’ clash with the USA (Picture: Billy Grant/@billythebee99)
An England fan managed to get a rainbow flag into a World Cup stadium ahead of the match against the USA on Friday by saying it displayed a Cameroon-themed logo.
Billy Grant had to think on his feet as Qatari security personnel at the Khalifa International Stadium measured and scrutinised the multi-coloured banner expressing support for his LGBTQ+ friends in the UK.
He said on his Beesotted Brentford Podcast that around 10 members of staff and police were involved before he was told the ‘Bee Together’ flag had ‘too many colours’ and was against FIFA rules.
The Brentford FC fan managed to convince them that the flag, which shows the west London club’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, was for a Cameroon supporters’ branch.
Billy, who has been following England on the road since 1990, told Metro.co.uk that he is nonetheless ‘not into bashing the Qataris’ and fans from around the world have joined together in a party atmosphere.
‘The flag was in support of my many LGBT friends who were too nervous to go to the World Cup,’ he said. ‘We took it to show we have their back.
‘And maybe they were all welcome, but if that was the case the messaging wasn’t powerful enough to overcome their fears, and that is something that needs to be addressed from Qatar if they truly want to diversify.
‘The real question here is what will the legacy be for Qatar after the World Cup and how will they adapt the way they do some things moving forward?’
Billy Grant is at his ninth World Cup in Qatar where he has been following England through the group stages (Picture: Billy Grant)
Billy and friends with the flag that came under close scrutiny by security personnel as he tried to enter a World Cup stadium (Picture: Billy Grant)
Billy has flown the flag for Brentford at stadiums across the world with Qatar being his latest World Cup adventure (Picture: Billy Grant)
Supporters have reported problems with inadequate official accommodation and pints of beer costing £12.50 in the designated fan parks.
Billy, who is at his ninth World Cup, has nevertheless been partying with others who have jetted in for the FIFA games from across the globe.
Thousands of Wales fans have also been in Doha and will be holding out hope for a miraculous passage into the round of 16 at the hotly-anticipated clash with Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions tonight.
‘There is nothing better than hanging out with people from all around the world who absolutely love football,’ Billy said.
‘This may not be the best World Cup but I’m not in the mode of bashing the Qataris for every little thing, as I came here with an open mind.
Billy shares the World Cup spirit with Brazilian entertainer Hela Cerqut in a fan zone (Picture: Billy Grant/@billythebee99)
‘Yes, there are things I’m not happy with. I feel they have tried to exert too much control and they’ve created places for people to go which do not really suit everyone.
‘The best parties have been on the metro, where fans from all over have just bumped into each other.
‘Real football fans always find a way of finding each other and while it may not be the same as all the other World Cups, we’ve still found a way of making it fun.’
Billy has been partying with fans from around the world who have made the trip to the host nation (Picture: Billy Grant)
Wales fans are in good spirits at the Souq Waqif in Doha ahead of the Dragons’ final group match with England (Picture: Martin Rickett/PA)
Billy said aspects of the organisation could have been better but fans have been able to share the love of the game (Picture: Billy Grant)
The podcaster, nicknamed ‘Billy The Bee’, has given the first tournament in the Middle East a mark of six out of 10 so far.
‘The organisation could have been so much better,’ he said.
‘As a German fan living in Saudi Arabia said on our latest podcast, a little more flexibility and understanding of real fan culture could have made this a really good tournament.’
Billy added: ‘The locals have been fabulous and I’m really glad that they got to experience a World Cup in their region, it’s made them very proud.’
The issue of displaying rainbow colours in a country where same-sex relations are illegal has arisen with reports of fans being told at entrances to stadiums that items such as hats and flags are not allowed inside.
A major row erupted after FIFA banned team captains from wearing the striped OneLove armbands displaying the Pride colours.
The matter again came into focus yesterday when a pitch invader with a rainbow flag and wearing a ‘save Ukraine’ T-shirt interrupted the game between Portugal and Uruguay.
However the Football Supporters’ Association — which condemned the move to drop the OneLove armbands — told Metro.co.uk that there have been no major issues ahead of the ‘battle of Britain’ clash tonight.
Ashley Brown, head of supporter engagement and governance, said: ‘Everything has gone relatively smoothly.
‘We had the early frustration with FIFA regarding the armband, the problems with the ticket app and some problems refreshing 24-hour Hayya cards, but no real issues.
‘England fans are settling into Doha life.’
Millions of TV viewers are due to watch England v Wales in both sides’ final group game, which kicks off in the 45,000-capacity Ahmad bin Ali stadium at 7pm UK time.
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World Cup 2022: your FAQs answered
An England fan says he was told his banner had ‘too many colours’ and was banned under FIFA rules.
