Dear EGLSF board, members and sport enthusiasts,
We know you have all heard recently of statements by Mr.Vlatko Marković, but probably lack the exact understanding of the context and the impact to realize that his act will not be fixed by a mere apology.
Croatia is a small country that most have heard of only in the 90s, due to the wars in Balkans and the breakdown of the Socialist Federation of Yugoslavia.
Some may also know it also for its amazing nature resorts and cultural heritage protected by UNESCO (exceptional number of protected sites).
Aside from this, quite a few athletes (Blanka Vlašić, Janica and Ivica Kostelić,
Duje Draganja, Sanja Jovanović...) and national teams (in handball, water polo, rowing, tennis...) put this troubled country (4.6 million inhabitants) on the sport world map by making exceptional achievements in a better way then any politician or business has done so far in attempts to meet EU standards.
Yet Croatian LGBTIQ population is not able to freely express and openly take part in these sport achievements without being put down by homophobic and sexist remarks of some of the top sport officials in the country.
You likely did not hear of soccer player Stjepan Tomas being kicked off the national team few years ago, after being found in the room with another man.
Or the numerous comments on a photo of Ibrahimović (player of Bosnian-Croatian origin) and Piquea year ago, as the most discussed topic on Croatian web forums because of potential of two being partners. Or that of writer Nicolas Bendini's novel 'Solo per una notte' on a professional soccer player from Croatia living a double life as a bisexual man, that stirred our public more then many finals of national soccer league.
Suspense is continuous and tension builds up as it is fueled by a combination of rumors and stigma that would follow any Croatian soccer player who might not meet norms of some of Croatian soccer professionals about what the norms are in their opinion.
Continue reading HERE.
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