FIFA's Sepp Blatter Apologizes For No Gay Sex At World Cup In Qatar Joke
FIFA's president Sepp Blatter has apologized for joking about Qatar's laws
against gay sex.
When asked what he advised gay fans attending the 2022 World Cup
tournament in Qatar, a mainly Muslim country which forbids gay and
lesbian relationships, Blatter responded with a joke.
After a long pause, Blatter answered: “I would say that they should
refrain from sexual activities.”
But on Friday, Blatter apologized for the joke, the AP reported.
“It was not my intention and never will be my intention to go into any discrimination,” Blatter told reporters in Abu Dhabi. “This is exactly
what we are against. If somebody feels that they have been hurt then
I regret [it] and present apologies.”
Former NBA basketball star John Amaechi was among those who
criticized Blatter.
Writing at his blog, Amaechi, who came out gay in 2007, said that
FIFA “has endorsed the marginalization of LGBT people around
the world.”
“Blatter's words aren't really about sex, as I can't imagine that many
gay football fans would be bold enough to do it in public in Qatar,
” Amaechi wrote. “Rather, what he is really saying is 'Don't be camp,
don't hold hands, don't look into each other's eyes, don't book rooms
with one bed, don't have candle-lit dinners in the restaurant …'
and on and on.”
“He's really saying don't even 'look' gay, re-closet yourself and
pretend the ties and love and affection you have for your partner
or even a random bloke you might meet on your travels are gone for
the whole time you are in Qatar.”
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