World Cup: West Forces Pride Agenda On Egypt And Iran

Seattle has declared a World Cup match between Egypt and Iran as a Pride Match, brushing aside formal objections from both nations. It is yet another case of Western capitals dictating values to the rest of the world, treating sovereign nations as if they have no right to their own cultural identity.

Why Did Egypt And Iran Object To The Pride Match?

The drama started when Seattle's local World Cup organisers decided to label the June 26 fixture a Pride Match. Then the draw happened, and the two teams assigned to play were Egypt and Iran. Both countries, Muslim-majority nations with deep religious and cultural convictions, pushed back hard.

Egypt's Football Association urged FIFA to block any Pride activities, stating clearly that such events clash with the country's cultural and religious values. Iran, where same-sex relations carry severe legal penalties including the death penalty, filed a formal objection with FIFA.

But Seattle, a city that flies Pride flags year-round, simply ignored them. The message from the West is familiar: our values matter, yours do not.

Photo: Rediff.com India Ltd.

Seattle Organisers Put Local Agenda Above Visiting Nations

Hedda McLendon, from Seattle's local World Cup organising committee, made the city's position plain.