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Wales fans wearing rainbow hats were confiscated in Qatar ahead of the World Cup clash with the USA, according to fans.
The Rainbow Wall in Wales, an LGBTQ+ support group, said men wearing the hats could keep them, but the items were taken away from women.
Former Wales international Laura McAllister, now a lecturer at Cardiff University, wrote on Twitter: “So despite the good words from @FIFAWorldCup ahead of the event, @Cymru’s rainbow hats they confiscated in the stadium, including mine.
“I had a conversation about this with the administrators – we have video evidence. This #WorldCup2022 is better but we will continue to defend our values.”
The bucket hat has become the must-have accessory for Wales fans over the past decade.
The yellow, green and red hats are worn by thousands of the so-called “Red Wall”, with a rainbow version also produced.
Wales’s Rainbow Wall wrote: “Our rainbow bucket hat. We’re so proud of them but the news on the ground tonight is that our Welsh supporters wearing them in #Qatar are having them removed ’em, not the men, only the women.
“@Fifacom you are serious!! #DretsLGTBI”.
The PA news agency understands that an American supporter was threatened on the subway traveling to the stadium for carrying a small rainbow flag.
One man, who appeared to be a supporter of Qatar, threatened to “kill” the fan, saying the flag was “not allowed” and “this flag is banned in this country”.
“We have our own culture,” he added.
Fans from Wales and the United States, as well as Qatari security guards, intervened to protect the fan carrying the flag, which is a symbol of LGBTQ+ rights and pride.
Wales, along with England and other European nations, previously confirmed they would not wear the OneLove anti-discrimination rainbow armbands after governing body Fifa threatened sporting sanctions.
Dyfrig Hills, a 32-year-old teacher from North Wales, said he was “disappointed” that FIFA had effectively banned the armbands.
Speaking outside a hotel in Doha, where around 1,900 Wales fans had gathered ahead of the USA game, he said: “I’m very disappointed to be honest, I’m disappointed for the countries that want to bring – them and I am disappointed with FIFA for doing what they have done.
“Also a little bit to the associations because I thought they would still stand up for what we believe in.”
His friend Gareth Dixon, 32, who is a teacher in Qatar, said: “I’ve lived here for five years and the change in that time is immeasurable, especially in terms of infrastructure.
“At the end of the day it’s a developing country but I’ve seen the news at home and if I still lived in the UK I’d be angry at what’s going on and say the same things.”
The two men held a sign reading “Llywelyn, Glyndwr, Ramsay”, the third name referring to midfielder Aaron Ramsay, who they said was “the real Prince of Wales”.
“Bale gets a lot of adoration, we think Ramsay deserves it, especially with his blonde hair,” Hills said.
Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, said Welsh players will continue to speak out for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
He said: “Welsh players have spoken out, they’ve spoken out in interviews. The Football Association [of Wales] The same has been absolutely solid in saying that they are here to stand up for the values that matter to the people of Wales, human rights and also the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
“The fact that they’ve done it so solidly, I don’t think there’s any reason to imagine that they won’t want to keep doing that.”
The Prince of Wales later posted a photo of the bucket hat he was given by Elin Jones, the Speaker of the Welsh Parliament.
William wrote: “Having reached the #FIFAWorldCup for the first time since 1958, it’s only right to see @Cymru’s first game in style. Thanks for the bucket hat @ElinCeredigion! W.”