Gary Lineker says he knows two gay Premier League stars and hopes they will come out at Qatar World Cup | UK News
Gary Lineker insists he knows two gay players in the Premier League and says it would be “wonderful” if they chose to appear in the Qatar World Cup to send a strong message to the host country, where homosexuality is still a thing. crime.
The former England striker and TV presenter told the Daily Mirror the players were “very close” to playing before that.
“It would be great if one or two of them played during the World Cup. That would be great,” he said.
“I know for a fact that some people have been very close and have pondered over it. There is a couple that I know, but obviously I can’t say who they are.”
The tournament opens on November 20 at Qatar – a country where same-sex sex acts are punishable by seven years in prison, or even death by stoning for Muslim men under Sharia law.
On Thursday, Qatar’s World Cup Chief Nasser Al Khater seek to ensure LGBTQ+ fans that they will be welcome at the tournament
While Qatar is not prepared to change its anti-LGBTQ+ law in response to the concerns of visiting fans, he insists there will be no discrimination during the 29 days of the tournament and that fans Same-sex graves will be allowed to hold hands.
“All we ask is for people to respect the culture,” said Al Khater.
“Finally, as long as you don’t do anything harmful to other people, if you don’t destroy public property, as long as you behave in a way that isn’t harmful, people welcome you and you don’t. nothing to worry about.”
Although Mr Al Khater has said fans can display the rainbow flag, he said “it’s a matter of FIFA” whether to approve Harry Kane, the England captain, and Gareth Bale, his counterpart. his Wales, wearing a multicolored “One Love” armband that highlights or doesn’t discriminate.
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Gay World Cup fans ‘can hold hands’
Lineker’s comments came after he was found to have breached the BBC’s fairness rules over a comment he made about the Conservative Party having Russian donors.
The host of Match of the Day shared a post about Liz Trussthen the foreign secretary, urged Premier League teams to boycott the Champions League final in Russia, with the comment: “And will her party hand over their money from Russian sponsors?”
The former soccer player said his tweet was prompted by a football article, and it was intended to comment on the sport rather than on politics.
However, the BBC says it has upheld a reader complaint about his tweet from 23 February, and the finding has been reported to BBC Sport management and discussed with Lineker.
