FIFA Adapts Anthem Protocol to Respect Religious Symbols in the World Cup

Before the Spain - Saudi Arabia match, a change in FIFA protocol was observed. During the World Cup, flags of certain countries with sacred inscriptions must not touch the ground, like the Saudi flag with the Shahada. This modification, driven by religious requirements, has caused friction and forced equal treatment of all flags.

The Shahada and the prohibition of ground contact

The Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith inscribed on the Saudi flag, prohibits it from touching the ground according to the kingdom's laws. FIFA accepted this demand and adjusted the protocol to avoid visual asymmetries in the matches. The same treatment has been given to other flags with sacred inscriptions, such as the Iraqi and Iranian flags.

Fracture in FIFA's protocol

The case of Iraq and Baghdad's insistence on respecting its flag with the inscription 'Allahu Akbar' led to a correction in the protocol. The Iraqi federation succeeded in preventing their flag from touching the ground, after FIFA initially rejected the request. Iran, on the other hand, did not request this special treatment, displaying their flag on the field in a recent match.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La FIFA adapta el protocolo de los himnos para respetar símbolos religiosos en el Mundial