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I mean, his stance on goal line technology (he doesn't want it) had me classifying him as an idiot but his reaction to concerns about gay fans (and footballers, though there aren't any out ones that I know of, I wonder why) at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 has my lip curling.
Here it is
"When asked about the issues facing gay fans, Blatter, apparently joking, said: "I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities." He continued then on a more serious note, saying: "We are definitely living in a world of freedom and I'm sure when the World Cup will be in Qatar in 2022, there will be no problems.
***
Apparently, the journalists all broke out into laughter, but not at the idea that in twelve years Qatar will be a land of rainbows and kittens.
And no alcohol allowed either? I doubt they'll think that's so amusing.
It's such a stupid place to hold it given the extreme temperatures, too, though they've promised air-conditioned stadiums.
In a response here, the openly gay basketball player John Amaechi said to a BBC radio show:
"It's not about people having sex in public and being sanctioned for it, it's the fact that Qatar was one of 79 countries to sanction executing gays at the United Nations [where a vote in November removed sexual orientation from a UN resolution condemning extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions].
"One of the first things you notice is that it would actually be an insult to year seven students to say that their reactions, the giggling of grown men, sports reporters and members of Fifa, on this issue, when asked a perfectly simple and reasonable question given the worries about Qatar, that the whole room burst into laughter.
"It is the most childish response I could imagine.
"This does make it harder for footballers that are gay but let's not limit this.
"You have to understand that this story is big enough, his influence is big enough, to impact young people in school, people in workplaces, anybody who is perceived to be gay or is gay, hears these comments and once again realises that the seat of power, straight white men normally, are very, very clearly uncomfortable with this issue and certainly not interested in taking it seriously."
ETA Another gem from him in the past:
It is far from the first time the 74-year-old Fifa president, who intends to stand for another four-year term in 2011 despite the recent corruption allegations levelled at his organisation, has caused outrage. In 2004 he suggested that, to raise the profile of their sport, female footballers should wear tighter shorts.
Here it is
"When asked about the issues facing gay fans, Blatter, apparently joking, said: "I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities." He continued then on a more serious note, saying: "We are definitely living in a world of freedom and I'm sure when the World Cup will be in Qatar in 2022, there will be no problems.
***
Apparently, the journalists all broke out into laughter, but not at the idea that in twelve years Qatar will be a land of rainbows and kittens.
And no alcohol allowed either? I doubt they'll think that's so amusing.
It's such a stupid place to hold it given the extreme temperatures, too, though they've promised air-conditioned stadiums.
In a response here, the openly gay basketball player John Amaechi said to a BBC radio show:
"It's not about people having sex in public and being sanctioned for it, it's the fact that Qatar was one of 79 countries to sanction executing gays at the United Nations [where a vote in November removed sexual orientation from a UN resolution condemning extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions].
"One of the first things you notice is that it would actually be an insult to year seven students to say that their reactions, the giggling of grown men, sports reporters and members of Fifa, on this issue, when asked a perfectly simple and reasonable question given the worries about Qatar, that the whole room burst into laughter.
"It is the most childish response I could imagine.
"This does make it harder for footballers that are gay but let's not limit this.
"You have to understand that this story is big enough, his influence is big enough, to impact young people in school, people in workplaces, anybody who is perceived to be gay or is gay, hears these comments and once again realises that the seat of power, straight white men normally, are very, very clearly uncomfortable with this issue and certainly not interested in taking it seriously."
ETA Another gem from him in the past:
It is far from the first time the 74-year-old Fifa president, who intends to stand for another four-year term in 2011 despite the recent corruption allegations levelled at his organisation, has caused outrage. In 2004 he suggested that, to raise the profile of their sport, female footballers should wear tighter shorts.
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the fact is that the Olympic comittee has to think long and hard about where to have the games, b/c they understand the bigger picture of what sport SHOULD be able to do for humanitarian issues. they ask themselves not "can we go" but "should we go". this is a lot of money that the host countries get (and yeah, i know that they have to spend money to make money) and we need to consider, very seriously, who is going to be awarded the windfall.
and giving the World Cup to a country under UN sanction? bad call. if he wants to open up the mid east - then look at the more progressive nations - Oman, Kuwaiit, Tajikistan (or however the hell you spell it) - if it's a matter of him trying to promote regligious tolerance by going to a muslim nation, then how about looking at Indonesia? they are very progressive and very muslim.
as a member of LGBT, i'm APPALED that in 2010 we're still being ignored and joked about. how is that OK?? LGBT aren't football fans? screw THAT! that's like saying that we don't drink beer or drive trucks or wear shoes. it's just insanity. we're PEOPLE.
this whole thing makes me "grrr"
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