Homophobic Coach Might be Getting The Pink Slip
Written by acerOver 35,000 football fans around the world have signed a letter to FIFA in order for the Nigeria's national women's soccer coach Eucharia Uche to be fired, and the president of the German Football Federation has asked FIFA to investigate the Nigerian coach.
For the past two years the Nigerian Football Federation has conducted a witch-hunt to kick women off the national team who were suspected of being gay. And the team's coach just bragged to the New York Times that she has dealt with “the big problem” of lesbianism, “But since I’m coach of the Super Falcons, that has been cleared up. There are no more lesbian players on my team. I can not tolerate this dirty life.” she said.
FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, has a powerful record of fighting discrimination. Now as Nigeria takes the field in the Women's World Cup, FIFA needs to give coach Uche the red card: publicly condemn systematic discrimination and take the necessary steps to end homophobia in the league.
FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, has a powerful record of fighting discrimination. Now as Nigeria takes the field in the Women's World Cup, FIFA needs to give coach Uche the red card: publicly condemn systematic discrimination and take the necessary steps to end homophobia in the league.
Germany reserve goalkeeper Ursula Holl is married to a woman and first-choice shot-stopper Nadine Angerer is openly bisexual.
The German players have not responded to remarks made by the Nigerian coach, while Fifa have said they will talk to Uche about the issue.
Meanwhile, the 1995 champions Norway survived a battle with debutantes Equatorial Guinea in Group ‘D’ action yesterday, winning thanks to Emelie Haavi’s late goal.
Nigeria coach Eucharia Uche says her side intend on taking the fight for a quarter-final place at the women’s World Cup to Germany when the Super Eagles tackle the defending champions on Thursday.
The hosts are bidding for a hat-trick of titles having won the 2003 and 2007 editions and lead Group A after their 2-1 win over Canada in Berlin on Sunday, the same day Nigeria lost 1-0 to France in Sinsheim.
A further defeat here would all but rule Nigeria out of the last eight, but Uche insists her side will not surrender to the Germans without a fight.
“I always say, football is a game. It’s never won or lost until it’s played. “We respect Germany, but I still believe in the game of football anything can happen".
Germany look set to stick with the side which beat Canada with rising star Celia Okoyino da Mbabi set to continue partnering captain Birgit Prinz up front as a centre forward and record goalscorer Inka Grings - 62 goals in 91 appearances - on the bench.
“It was the right decision to start with Celia and Birgit, they proved themselves,” said Germany assistant coach Ulrike Ballweg on Tuesday.
Former midfielder Okoyino da Mbabi, whose relatives hail from Cameroon, scored Germany’s second goal on Sunday to cap an impressive display.
A second victory for Germany would put them in the last eight with the final group game against France on July 5 in Moenchengladbach.
There will be added bite to the match owing to Uche’s remarks last weekend when she branded homosexuality as ‘dirty’.
The German players have not responded to remarks made by the Nigerian coach, while Fifa have said they will talk to Uche about the issue.
Meanwhile, the 1995 champions Norway survived a battle with debutantes Equatorial Guinea in Group ‘D’ action yesterday, winning thanks to Emelie Haavi’s late goal.
Nigeria coach Eucharia Uche says her side intend on taking the fight for a quarter-final place at the women’s World Cup to Germany when the Super Eagles tackle the defending champions on Thursday.
The hosts are bidding for a hat-trick of titles having won the 2003 and 2007 editions and lead Group A after their 2-1 win over Canada in Berlin on Sunday, the same day Nigeria lost 1-0 to France in Sinsheim.
A further defeat here would all but rule Nigeria out of the last eight, but Uche insists her side will not surrender to the Germans without a fight.
“I always say, football is a game. It’s never won or lost until it’s played. “We respect Germany, but I still believe in the game of football anything can happen".
Germany look set to stick with the side which beat Canada with rising star Celia Okoyino da Mbabi set to continue partnering captain Birgit Prinz up front as a centre forward and record goalscorer Inka Grings - 62 goals in 91 appearances - on the bench.
“It was the right decision to start with Celia and Birgit, they proved themselves,” said Germany assistant coach Ulrike Ballweg on Tuesday.
Former midfielder Okoyino da Mbabi, whose relatives hail from Cameroon, scored Germany’s second goal on Sunday to cap an impressive display.
A second victory for Germany would put them in the last eight with the final group game against France on July 5 in Moenchengladbach.
There will be added bite to the match owing to Uche’s remarks last weekend when she branded homosexuality as ‘dirty’.
story from Allout & Daily Nation, addition editing by Acer
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