One day after Iran and Wales were eliminated at the World Cup, FIFA finally gave a public assurance on Wednesday that rainbow items and banners supporting protests in Iran will be allowed into stadiums. Stadium security staff organized by Qatari authorities had seized items with rainbow colours and slogans such as "Women. Life. Freedom"  to stop them from getting inside stadiums.

In the first week of the tournament, seven European teams including Wales lost the fight to wear multi-colored "One Love" armbands during World Cup matches and some fans complained they weren’t allowed to bring items with rainbow colours, a symbol of LGBTQ rights, into the stadiums of the conservative Islamic emirate. The match between Iran and the United States on Tuesday was charged with emotion among Iranian fans, some of whom had come to Qatar not only to support their team, but the protest movement back home with banners and flags.

"FIFA is aware of some incidents where permitted items were not allowed to be displayed at stadiums," soccer’s world body said in a statement on Wednesday, more than a week after some incidents were reported at World Cup stadiums. "FIFA has received assurances by authorities that venue commanders have been contacted in relation to the agreed rules and regulations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022." FIFA’s assurances that have seemed to be overridden by Qatari authorities.

Wales and Iran will not play any more games at the World Cup after results late Tuesday sent England and the United States from their Group B into the knockout rounds.

 “FIFA continues to work closely with the Host Country to ensure the full implementation of related regulations and agreed protocols,” FIFA said.

Interestingly, the players for both England and Wales took a knee before their final World Cup group game. The teams made the gesture on Tuesday as a sign of solidarity in the fight against discrimination.

England and Wales were among seven European nations that had intended to have their captains wear “One Love' armbands in support of inclusivity at the tournament in Qatar. But they had to abandon those plans after FIFA threatened sporting sanctions for any captain that wore them.

 England coach Gareth Southgate said his players would take a knee at the start of the tournament. The team did it at all three Group B matches in Qatar. Wales only did it Tuesday.

 “We feel this is the biggest and we think it's a strong statement that will go around the world for young people, in particular, to see that inclusivity is very important,” Southgate said.

 Additionally, the UK's first openly gay Sports Minister attended the game and wore the armband.  Stuart Andrew said he decided to wear it in support of inclusivity at sporting events.

 “Sport has the power to unite, inspire,” Andrew wrote on Twitter, adding it was “vital” that all sporting events are open and inclusive.