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.

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

Get the Daily Brief

The news you care about, reported on by the people who care about you:

Subscribe to our Newsletter

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.”