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A former top footballer calls on England’s World Cup squad and fans to kneel in Qatar next month to take a stand against homophobia and racism.
Two-time England international John Fashanu said: the Sunday Mirror that he ‘shunned’ his late brother Justin – who was the first professional footballer to come out as gay.
Same-sex acts in Qatar are punishable by up to seven years in prison, but Fashanu said gay fans should be able to be themselves during the tournament.
The 60-year-old suffered from rampant racism throughout his career and said that if he attended the tournament, which starts next month, he would get on his knees to show he was against “all forms of discrimination”.
The ex-Wimbeldon striker’s message comes after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told gay football fans to show “flexibility and compromise” while in Qatar.
John Fashanu calls on England’s World Cup squad to kneel in Qatar next month in a stand against homophobia and racism
John (above) admitted to avoiding his brother Justin (below) because of his sexuality – even paying him not to come out
Same-sex acts in Qatar face up to seven years in prison, but Fashanu said gay fans should be able to be themselves during the tournament
John’s brother Justin (pictured) was the first professional footballer to come out as gay
In 1998, Justin (right) committed suicide when he was 37 – just eight years after coming out publicly
Fashanu’s brother Justin was the first black player to sell for £1million, but his career was marred by homophobia – once scolded by legendary manager Brian Clough.
In 1998, Justin committed suicide in a locked garage in London’s Shoreditch, when he was just 37 – just eight years after coming out publicly.
John told The Mirror that he once paid his brother £75,000 to keep quiet to embarrass the family.
In 1985, the two brothers were on Brighton beach when they dug a hole in the beach and Justin told his younger brother to lie in it while he piled sand on it.
Fashanu told The Mirror: “He started piling up sand until only my head was sticking out. It hurt. I had trouble breathing. Then he just left me there. When he finally came back, I was in tears. He said, “Now you know what it feels like to be me every day.”
John said he could understand “for the first time” what his brother had to go through as a gay and black football player.
He said this experience led him to believe that Qataris could learn more about the LGBT community and that the World Cup should be “an opportunity to educate.”
Although the ex-footballer did agree with Secretary of State James Cleverly, adding: “LGBT people should be allowed to be who they are, but they should also respect the laws of the country they host.”
Gary Lineker also sparked a backlash after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told gay football supporters to “respect” the World Cup host Qatar.
In addition to homosexual behavior being illegal, there are strict laws against alcohol, drugs, public intimacy, relationships outside of marriage, dress code, and swearing.
Veteran campaigner Peter Tatchell was barred from organizing the country’s first-ever LGBT+ protest.
Mr Cleverly said Qatari authorities know they will have to make “some compromises” when football fans from around the world arrive next month.
But he also urged LGBT+ fans to “flex and compromise” in comments that were promptly labeled “shocking tone-deaf” by Labor.
John Fashanu said that ‘LGBT people should be able to be who they are, but they should also respect the laws of the country where they are guests’
Lineker, who is expected to lead BBC coverage of the World Cup, has questions about Mr Cleverly’s comments.
He posted on Twitter: ‘Whatever you do, don’t do anything gay. Is that the message?
Tatchell, who claimed he had been arrested by Qatari authorities after his attempted protest, also hit back at the foreign minister’s comments.
He demanded that the government “use its public voice to condemn the horrific human rights violations committed by the Gulf state.”
In addition to his comments about gay football supporters, the Foreign Secretary – who was reappointed to the role yesterday during the cabinet reshuffle of new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – took a swipe at Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Sir Keir said this week he would not travel to Qatar for the World Cup, even if England made it to the final.
But Mr. Cleverly revealed that he would go to the Middle East if he was able.
“As the leader of the opposition, he is in a good position to send messages. I have real work to do,” the Foreign Secretary said of Sir Keir during an interview with LBC Radio.