Life

English gay footballer slams FIFA on selecting Russia, Qatar for World Cups

LONDON — A leading figure within the English Football Association says she won't go to the World Cups in Qatar and Russia because of their anti-gay laws.
By · Updated on December 27, 2014
English gay footballer slams FIFA on selecting Russia, Qatar for World Cups
Casey Stoney
Casey Stoney

LONDON — A leading figure within the English Football Association says she won’t go to the World Cups in Qatar and Russia because of their anti-gay laws.

Casey Stoney, the England women’s team captain, says FIFA has set the wrong example by awarding its showpiece men’s events to those countries.

Article continues below

Stoney, who is gay, told the BBC: “I won’t be going to Russia or Qatar to watch a World Cup because I wouldn’t be accepted there.”

Russia, which is currently hosting the Winter Olympics in Sochi ahead of the 2018 World Cup, has come under fire for a law banning homosexual “propaganda” aimed at minors. In 2022 World Cup host Qatar, homosexual acts are illegal.

Casey says it is “incredible that these countries get World Cups and Olympics.”

© 2014, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Don't forget to share:

Life
England International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) LGBTQ athletes Soccer Sports United Kingdom (UK)

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Once Monthly Annually

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Michael Sam bravely comes out … Now what?

Previous article

White House appaluds Michael Sam’s coming out: ‘An inspiration to all of us’

Next article

More on LGBTQ Nation