Part of the problem is this worn and obnoxious refrain, trotted out annually in various media: For a professional footballer, to come out would be career suicide. Variations on the theme include the idea that gay players should stay closeted “for their own good”, and – my favourite – that, actually, there are no gay professional footballers.
Bollocks.
This is why it’s absolutely vital that when higher-ups in the football world contribute to the atmosphere of homophobia, they are held accountable. The governing bodies (I’m talking to you, FIFA and UEFA) are obligated to respond. Why? Because these same organizations are using inclusivity policies to curry public favour.
In 2008, the UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations) launched the Respect campaign, which “dovetails with programmes aimed at combating violence, racism, xenophobia and homophobia, as well as at nurturing fan support, intercultural dialogue, the environment and humanitarian relief.”
In mid-February 2011, the same organization officially endorsed The Justin Campaign, a group dedicated to ending homophobia in football. Yet, at right around the same time, in cooperation with FIFA, the UEFA confirmed Vlatko Markovic for a fourth term as President of the Croatian Football Federation.
If the name Vlatko Markovic is familiar, it’s because he made quite an impression in the media in November 2010 when he remarked, ”As long as I’m president [of the Croatian Football Federation] there will be no gay players. Thank goodness only healthy people play football.”
As a key decision-maker and ambassador for the sport, he should have been unceremoniously shown the door. Instead, he got a fourth term.
Read in full HERE.
And sign her petition HERE.
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