Controversial World Cup host
Lineker calls on gay footballers to come out at the World Cup in Qatar
Ex-star striker Gary Lineker caused a stir with an appeal to gay footballers
© Christian Charisius / DPA
Homosexuality is a punishable offense in Qatar, host of the soccer World Cup. As a gesture with great symbolic power, gay footballers should therefore come out during the World Cup, demands British football legend Gary Lineker. And fueled the speculation with another comment
Former English striker Gary Lineker has asked gay footballers to come out during the World Cup in Qatar. Lineker told the Daily Mirror newspaper that he knew gay Premier League players who were about to go public with their homosexuality. “It would be great if one or two of them came out during the World Cup,” said the 61-year-old.
Football World Cup in Qatar starts on November 20th
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to seven years in prison. Tournament boss Nasser Al Khater told British broadcaster Sky News that visitors would not be discriminated against. Gay fans are allowed to hold hands. “All we’re asking people is to show respect for our culture,” Al Khater said. As long as you don’t do anything that hurts other people, everyone is welcome. The World Cup starts on November 20th and lasts until December 18th.
Jake Daniels from English second division club Blackpool and Josh Cavallo from Australian first division club Adelaide United are the only top-flight footballers who have made their homosexuality public. When asked why there weren’t more, Lineker said: “Fear of the unknown, I think. Maybe they’re worried about what their teammates might think, although they probably already know.”
Lineker said he hopes for more coming outs because many players have to live with a lie. “It’s certainly very difficult.” But the reactions to Daniels and Cavallo indicated that it would be extremely well received. As a consultant to a well-known footballer, he would advise coming out, Lineker said. “I would say: Be the first big player.”
Lineker is the BBC’s best-known and best-paid commentator and will also report from Qatar. He emphasized that the broadcaster will also report critically about human rights violations and the exploitation of migrants from day one.