World Cup: Former Wales footballer told to remove rainbow bucket hat

Laura McAllister, an ex-Wales footballer, was asked to remove her “rainbow wall” bucket hat as she entered a World Cup stadium in Qatar. 

McAllister, a gay woman, said she was told to remove the hat before the start of the USA vs Wales game. 

The rainbow version of Welsh fan hats shows support for the LGBTQ+ community. 

It comes after England, Wales and other European teams were told not to wear One Love armbands. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. 

McAllister was stopped during security checks at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday evening. 

Video footage appears to show officers telling her to remove the hat, and BBC Wales reports officials told her that hat was considered a restricted item that would need to be handed in. 

There had been previous assurances that fans would be allowed to wear them. 

Ms McAllister wrote on Twitter: “So, despite fine words from FIFA World Cup before event, Cymru rainbow bucket hats confiscated at stadium, mine included.

“I had a conversation about this with stewards – we have video evidence,” she wrote. “This World Cup 2022 just gets better but we will continue stand up for our values.”