A 2022 FIFA World Cup ambassador has accused German media outlet ZDF of misrepresenting comments he made during an interview, where it portrayed him as stating that being gay was associated with "damage in the mind".
Khalid Salman said the comments were taken out of context, and that he was referring to the consumption of alcohol being associated with "damage in the mind", rather than being gay.
“Intoxicants and alcohol came up, and I said they were very harmful to the mind. The journalist misunderstood what I said and reported that I was referring to homosexuality – based on his own interpretation, or maybe intentions,” Mr Salman said in a video response posted online.
“I said everyone is welcome in Qatar.”
Mr Salman's comments aired in a ZDF documentary investigating Qatar's track record on LGBTIQ+ rights.
In a , it appeared he told interviewer Jochen Breyer that being gay was "haram", an Arabic term meaning forbidden or unlawful, and referred to homosexuality as "damage in the mind".
"The most important thing is that everyone will accept that you come here. But they will have to accept our rules,” the former Qatari national team player said.
"It is haram. I'm not a strict Muslim. But why is it haram? It's damage in the mind."
In a Twitter post promoting the program, a ZDF account wrote: "FIFA World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman describes homosexuality as a “damage in the mind”".
However, extended footage from the interview appears to create uncertainty around whether Mr Salman's comments about 'mental damage' were made in relation to Breyer's questions about alcohol rather than homosexuality.
A World Cup spokesperson reportedly stopped the interview after Mr Salman made the comments.
has been put in the spotlight ahead of the tournament, with LGBTIQ+ rights and the treatment of workers attracting scrutiny.
Homosexual activity is a criminal offence in Qatar and can be punishable with a jail sentence.
According to LGBTIQ+ rights advocacy organisation Human Dignity Trust, Qatar also operates an interpretation of Sharia law "in which it is technically possible for men who engage in same-sex intimacy to be sentenced to death".
Nas Mohamed, a Qatari man living in the United States, came out as gay earlier this year after being motivated by the World Cup and the lack of conversation about LGBTIQ+ rights.
He advised any LGBTIQ+ people attending the tournament to "be careful".
"If you're going there as a fan, and you want to support or show that you care about the cause, I don't think public displays of rainbow flags or rallies would be productive," he said.
“Big and unapologetic visibility is the responsibility of the teams, players and FIFA.”
Earlier this year, a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report included distressing accounts from six LGBTIQ+ community members, who allege they were arrested, bashed, and kept in solitary confinement due to their sexuality or expressed gender.
HRW said it had documented six cases of "severe and repeated beatings" and five cases of "sexual harassment" in police custody since 2019, with some incidents said to have occurred as recently as September this year.
The organising committee for the tournament has said LGBTIQ+ fans won't face any discrimination during the tournament.
The issue of worker rights has also attracted attention, with thousands of migrants being drafted in to complete the required work and development in time for the tournament.
According to human rights groups, many migrant workers have died on the job.
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy of the tournament acknowledges deaths have occurred but says Qatar has made significant reforms to protect workers' rights, including abolishing the controversial Kafala system.
The system, which was criticised by human rights organisations in the past, tied workers to their employer, who was responsible for the worker’s visa and legal status.
SBS News contacted Qatar's World Cup Committee for comment.
SBS News has also contacted ZDF for comment.
Update: This article has been updated to include Mr Salman's response to the ZDF interview.
LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support with mental health can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit . also has a list of support services.
