Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has criticized the Qatari authorities for their handling of rainbow badges at the World Cup in Qatar.

"I'm very disappointed," said the SPD politician on Wednesday in Doha about the case of a German fan who had an armband and a rainbow-colored sweatband taken away.

"That's not how I understand the security guarantees that the Interior Minister gave me." Prime Minister and Interior Minister Chalid bin Chalifa Al-Thani assured Faeser in Qatar at the beginning of November that everyone was welcome to the World Cup.

During the conversation at the mobile fan embassy of the German Football Association, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf reported that he was in contact with other European associations.

"We've had word from various teams that rainbow ties have been removed," he said, echoing the words of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who also said "everyone" is welcome in Qatar.

"This is not a sign of welcome for us," said Neuendorf.

Homosexuality is forbidden by law in Qatar.

The safety of the LGBTQI* community in Qatar is therefore one of the major World Cup issues.

The English abbreviation LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

The variants LGBTQ, LGBTQI or LGBTQIA+ are also often used.

Each letter represents one's gender identity or sexual orientation.

Neuendorf: Got an answer from FIFA

Neuendorf also reported that the DFB wrote to FIFA after the ban on the "One Love" captain's armband and requested a written statement that the armband is banned.

"We got an answer today," Neuendorf said on Wednesday.

The referee must first react, but then FIFA reserves the right to appeal to its own disciplinary committee in such cases.

This can impose further penalties.

"We reserve the right to a legal review," said Neuendorf.

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) would wear the "One Love" captain's armband at the World Cup in Qatar in place of DFB captain Manuel Neuer, despite the threatened FIFA sanctions.

"I would be interested to see what the referee does if someone comes around with the bandage," said the Economics Minister on Wednesday night on the ZDF program "Markus Lanz".

"I would take a chance," explained Habeck, "it would be a moderate protest."

After all, it is a bandage and not an “elaborated” form of protest like the climate activists of the “last generation”.

Habeck said he remembered protests that had become iconic and changed something, like the kneeling of then-US football pro Colin Kaepernick in 2016 as a sign against racism.

After that there were broader protests against racism in sport.

The special thing is that the World Cup in Qatar, unlike previous tournaments, is political and there is no longer any non-political sport.

"Then of course you also ask yourself how you would act in the situation." Although he cannot speak for others, it is clear what is obvious.

The "One Love" armband was announced in September as a joint campaign by several European national teams, including the German selection.

The colorful captain's armband should be a symbol of equality, freedom of discrimination and freedom of expression at the World Cup.

However, FIFA then announced on Monday that it would sanction the wearing of the bandage at the World Cup in Qatar – whereupon the DFB declared that it would not do so.

Critics then accused the association and team of giving in to FIFA, which officials denied.

World Cup host Qatar has been criticized for disregarding human rights standards, among other things.