In a statement released this Thursday on social media, ILGA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Intervention) regretted that the Portuguese Football Federation and the government “have not put their diplomacy and influence at the service of human rights, circumventing a robust position», as regards Qatar, where the World Cup is being held.
“We have already contacted the Portuguese Football Federation, with the unequivocal appeal for a position in favor of human rights and LGBTI+. Gestures such as the raising of the rainbow flag at its headquarters, symbolic moments before and during matches and the promotion of inclusion and diversity policies in national football are initiatives that the FPF can promote to create visibility and achieve greater equality in sport”, you can read.
They also recall that in Qatar “homosexuality is punished by law, as are all manifestations of sexual orientation and non-normative gender identity or expression” and that “LGBTI+ people are not safe” in that country.
“It is with deep regret that we see Portugal once again having a so-called ‘neutral’ position on the defense of human rights,” underlined ILGA, which also criticizes FIFA. “Qatar is one of the countries in the world where basic human rights are most under threat, with heavy punishments for the exercise of freedom for all people, namely women, people of color, ethnic minorities, migrants and LGBTI+ people. FIFA has missed the opportunity to state categorically that people’s lives, and not just LGBTI+ people’s, are worth more than the millionaire investments and sponsorships it has received,” the organization says.
