Amnesty International and the KNVB condemned the hotels in Qatar that refuse gay couples during the World Cup. The human rights organization and the Dutch football association responded to an investigation by Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish television showing that same-sex couples can't find rooms in all hotels in the Doha area during the global finals.

"That's what you get if you ban things, but allow them for a few weeks during the World Cup. It wears off," said Ruud Bosgraaf of Amnesty International. "Such things can soon also happen with women's rights or freedom of expression. So our call is: release everything in Qatar, not only during the World Cup."

Homosexuality is prohibited in Qatar. However, the organization committee of the World Cup wants everyone, regardless of origin or orientation, to be able to attend the event safely...

The organizing committee of the World Cup said it is shocked by the outcome of the investigation. "We are a conservative country, but we are committed to a welcoming and safe World Cup that is accessible to everyone," the committee told Reuters...