Saudi Arabia and Iran Flags Removed from Brothel

Those Germans sure are going out of their way to make friends this World Cup. A brothel in Cologne has blacked out the flags of Saudi Arabia and Iran on a World Cup banner advertising the services of its women after a few angry people threatened violence if the flags were not removed. The 24-metre-high by 8-metre-wide (78 by 26 ft) banner is on the side of a building and features scantily clad women and the slogan: “The world as a guest of female friends,” a clever play on the World Cup motto.

This is worth repeating: there is a 24 by 8 metre sign in Cologne that is advertising a brothel.

This prostitution thing might be an issue after all this summer.

This decision to black out the flags follows other efforts to respect the customs of Saudi Arabia. As we reported a few weeks back, the hotel where Saudi Arabia’s team is staying will be removing all porn and booze from its premises.

In other more uplifting news, Iran’s women are going to be allowed to attend football matches again for the first time since 1979 according to a posting on the president of Iran’s website (everyone has a website these days).

The women will be able to sit in sections that are separated from men, but don’t think for one second they are going to be placed in nose bleed seats with obstructed views.

“The presence of families and women will improve soccer-watching manners, and promote a healthy atmosphere,” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said. “They will be allocated some of the best stands in stadiums,” he added.

This is welcome news following what happened in Iran during a friendly against Costa Rica in March when women were not only barred from entering the stadium but some were also beaten.