A SOUTHAMPTON LGBTQ pub has said it will not show the World Cup on principle, unless customers ask for it.

Management at London Hotel on Oxford Street have said they do not agree with Qatar's stance on homosexuality.

The host country of this year's World Cup has caused controversy among football fans as same-sex relationships are illegal.

Couples risk being put in prison and the death penalty may even be imposed, although reports of this are rare.

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The pub is owned by Raymond and David Riley-Cole.

The couple, who have been married for 19 years, bought the pub in 2003 after moving to Southampton from Windsor in 2000.

David told the Echo: "If they want us to put it on I will put it on the TV. If they want to watch it, that's fine.

"My view is I do not agree with it at all. I wouldn't want to put any of our customers in danger by going. I wouldn't want to support how they treat people.

"We are not a football pub, we do not show the football anyway. We do not buy Sky or show BT channels.

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"I can see it (the World Cup) has a lot of interest. We are predominantly a safe space and a pro-LGBT venue, and we have been known for this for 22 years.

"We do not want to promote it but if there are people who want to put it on (we will). Otherwise, we won't be promoting it.

"Everyone's got their own individual views about things. We are a service industry at the end of the day, but there's a line to be drawn about certain things."

A spokesperson for Rainbow Saints - Southampton FC's supporters network for LGBTQ+ fans and allies - said this year's tournament is "incredibly uncomfortable" for many members of the community, and many will be boycotting it.

The spokesperson said: "We whole-heartedly support Dave and Ray's decision not to show the World Cup.

"This year's tournament is incredibly uncomfortable to support for many LGBTQ+ people.

"Lots of our members have said they will not be watching it at all.

"We have enjoyed a great partnership with The London Hotel as our hospitality partners and we are proud of their stance on this."

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