The world’s governing football body FIFA has announced it will look into the issue of homophobia in the women’s game, starting with Nigerian coach Eucharia Uche. A New York Times profile of the women's World Cup quoted the coach as saying, "The issue of lesbianism is common. I came to realise it is not a physical battle; we need divine intervention in order to control and curb it. I tell you it worked for us. This is a thing of the past. It is never mentioned." It sparked All Out, the Federation of Gay Games, and the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association to gather a 46,000 signature petition urging FIFA to condemn homophobia in soccer. "Today we are excited to see FIFA take a first, critical step…" AllOut co-founder Andre Banks says. "By launching an immediate probe into coach Uche's homophobic statements, the international governing body of soccer is sending a clear and important message: homophobia has no place in football, on or off the field."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 13th September 2011 - 1:48pm