LGBTQ Breaking News

LGBTQ Breaking News Service

World Gay News

Eamon Dunphy: Football must embrace gay community – RTE.ie

News Editor

Eamon Dunphy says there is an obligation among everyone in football to embrace and welcome gay people into the game.

The former RTÉ Socer analyst appeared on The Late Late Show on Friday night.

Reflecting on the World Cup being held in Qatar, a country where homosexuality is banned and punishable by up to three years in prison, Dunphy said: “What they are trying to do is normalise their way of living by bringing these major events to these countries.

“What they are trying to say to the world is, ‘we’re like you and you’re like us’.

“Soccer needs to stop this corruption. It needs to support workers’ rights and it needs to encourage, to do everything, to get gay people to come and play.

“Look at the women’s soccer team here, qualified for the World Cup, it’s fantastic. Look at Kellie Harrington and what she’s done.

“If any player in the Premier League came out, his life would be hell. Therefore, no one has ever come out – except one [Justin Fashanu].

“We have to, as a sport, encourage people to come and to embrace it.

“Awarding [the World Cup] to a country with Qatar’s attitude to gay people is doing the exact opposite. We have an Irish gay team – but they shouldn’t have to be in a team, they should be in every team. People should be respected for what they are as human beings, not what they do in their private lives.”

There’s been widespread concern around human rights issues, LGBTQ+ rights, and the migrant workers who lost their lives during the construction of stadiums to host the tournament.

Amnesty International are currently fighting for compensation to migrant workers and their families for human rights abuses suffered in the building of tournament infrastructure.

“I think the World Cup should never be played in the middle of the season in the heat it is being played in,” Dunphy added.

“I think I’ll watch it but not with the same love and passion as other World Cups. This is a step too far.

“I can’t forget it and I don’t think most football fans will forget the death of those workers and the prejudice against people.

“We’ll watch it but most of what we do in sport is with our heart and soul. It’s love. You can’t be detached. It’s the people’s game, everybody’s game.”