Flashmob - Give Homophobia the Red Card !

Anti-​homophobia activists were calling on FIFA to publicly condemn homophobia. A group led by international gay rights organization AllOut​.org and the FGG member Club FVV had organized a “flashmob” demonstration in Frankfurt to take place before the opening whistle of the semi-​final game of the Women’s World Cup, on July 13, the dayFIFA, the International Federation of Association Football — which is the international governing body of association football, futsal and beach football — has set aside as their official “Day Against Discrimination.”

Although homophobia in football is a long-​standing issue, remarks made earlier this year by Nigerian coach Eucharia Uche — that she’d kicked players off ther team “not because they were bad players, but because they were lesbians” — is at the heart of this protest.

FIFA’s response to the allegations against Uche had been very tepid. FIFA’s head of women’s competitions Tatjana Haenni said that FIFA had been “talking to” Uche, and pointing out to her that “it would be best to express oneself neutrally.” In addition, FIFA committed to a “Day Against Discrimination,” and directed the public to their “position on discriminating statements” in the meantime.

For AllOut​.org and the IGLFA, the response was not enough. Neither was it sufficient for the 45,000 people who signed a petition calling on FIFA to publicly condemn homophobia in sport, or for the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA), or the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), all of whom endorsed the campaign.

Now, activists dressed as referees had gathered in front of the Frankfurt Football stadium on July 13 to urge FIFA to back up their discrimination policy, beginning with a full investigation into coach Uche.

“Anyone who has played or watched football knows that there are consequences for breaking the rules of the game,’ said Andre Banks, co-​founder of AllOut​.org in a press release. “It is time for FIFA to finally cry foul and give Coach Uche the red card, sending a strong message that discrimination against lesbian and gay players will not be tolerated on or off the field.”

The Flashmob has been covered by the mass media, among others we have spotted
- Bild : the best-selling tabloid in Europe and has the sixth-largest circulation worldwide. (www.bild.de)
- Sueddeutsche Zeitung : the largest German national subscription daily newspaper (http://www.sueddeutsche.de)
- the local LGBT media : GAB magazin (http://www.inqueery.de/)