During a recent match between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo was subjected to homophobic chants from soccer fans. Large sections of the Barcelona crowd repeatedly shouted “Maricón!,” an antigay slur that means “faggot.”
Related: Report: Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is gay, dating a boxer
Gay rights group The Spanish LGBT Observatory released a statement condemning the audience:
These deplorable and shameful acts are punishable according to the law of Sport (2007).”
“For months the Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo has been the continued object of insults and malicious rumours from the tabloids, and also from sports journalists and amateur players to rival teams, in order to humiliate, offend and denigrate a great football player.
“It is necessary to clarify that homophobia does not necessarily mean that people who suffer are homosexual, but only that other people believe it or use it to insult, harass and humiliate others.”
h/t: Gay Star News
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