A Qatar World Cup Ambassador told German broadcaster ZDF that Homosexuality is “damage in the mind.”

This comes as Qatar prepares to host the global tournament in less than two weeks.

Qatar as the host has been controversial, given the fact that Homosexuality is still illegal there. In an interview filmed in Doha, former Qatari international Khalid Salman said, “They have to accept our rules here. [Homosexuality] is haram. You know what haram (forbidden) means?”

Salman was pressed on why it’s considered haram and answered, “I am not a strict Muslim, but why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind.”

Organizers in Qatar have repeatedly said that everyone is welcome during the World Cup. Still, football players have been raising concerns over the rights and safety of fans traveling for the event, including LGBTQ community members and women. Women also face limited rights in Qatar.

Qatar’s hosting of the tournament has led to calls for a boycott. But the country sees it as a chance to enter the global stage and become a more influential cultural player, even if their laws are not in sync with much of the world they want to jive with.