Fifa boss Sepp Blatter sparks Qatar gay controversy

Fifa president Sepp Blatter says gay fans going to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal, should "refrain from sexual activity".

When asked if he foresaw any cultural problems, Blatter, apparently joking, said: "I'd say they [gay fans] should refrain from any sexual activities."

Then, speaking seriously, he said he was sure there would be no problems.

Gay rights groups, already unhappy at the choice of tournament venue, say he should apologise or resign.

 Former basketball star John Amaechi is one of the world's most high-profile gay athletes, having come out in 1997. He was highly critical of Blatter's comments, telling BBC Radio 5 live: "It's absurd.

"It's not about people having sex in public and being sanctioned for it, it's the fact that Qatar was one of 79 countries to sanction executing gays at the United Nations [where a vote in November removed sexual orientation from a UN resolution condemning extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions].

"One of the first things you notice is that it would actually be an insult to year seven students to say that their reactions, the giggling of grown men, sports reporters and members of Fifa, on this issue, when asked a perfectly simple and reasonable question given the worries about Qatar, that the whole room burst into laughter.

"It is the most childish response I could imagine.

"This does make it harder for footballers that are gay but let's not limit this.

 

"You have to understand that this story is big enough, his influence is big enough, to impact young people in school, people in workplaces, anybody who is perceived to be gay or is gay, hears these comments and once again realises that the seat of power, straight white men normally, are very, very clearly uncomfortable with this issue and certainly not interested in taking it seriously."