How many footballers, or other elite male sportsmen, have come out after their careers have ended? I can only think of a couple. Maybe there just aren’t that many… I suspect they may be over-represented in the media and other creative industries.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5966168/2024/12/04/manchester-united-lgbtq-mazraoui/ Utd fighting the good fight.
I wasn’t trying to be a dick yesterday I just think we have to appreciate that people from different cultures are in far trickier situations with issues like this. I personally would wear it, I’ve got a gay relative & I think it’s a decent thing to do but the worst case scenario for me is someone might call me a ‘gag’ or a ‘******’ etc. For someone like Morsy from a Muslim background. It could put his relationship with his parents or grandparents at risk if it’s them who are strict Muslims. It could put the safety of some of his family at risk if they’re still living in Egypt. I remember being at college & my Muslim mate wouldn’t even pose for photos on a night out because he was scared of the bother it could cause for him by upsetting his family. I think all religion is nonsense by the way. I’m an atheist but I also think there’s a hell of a lot of young Muslims who are caught between wanting to live a Western life but who still wish to respect their older relatives & the way they follow their religion. And of course having said all that he could be a homophobe & in that case he’s a dick but I just don’t think anyone should condemn him without knowing his circumstances.
I know it was Ipswich who has said due to his religion but I don’t think that paints the whole picture. Many Muslim countries it is now legal to have same sex relationships although Islam does seem to frown on it. Why’s that important? Well in a recent survey in Egypt only 3% of the population when asked “should society accept homosexuality” & 99% said there was no justification for homosexuality. That basically means every person he has ever met growing up thinks it’s wrong, it’s so ingrained it’s near impossible for him to think different. That’s not me defending him despite it sounding like it that’s me just saying it’s not as simple as judging someone by our standards. The real question should be in this is why did Ipswich allow him to represent them on that occasion.
I'm more than happy to be accused of virtue signalling when it comes from right wingers. If it means that I'm willing to stand up for those experiencing bigotry, then so be it.
What I find odd is Marc Guehi of Palace has been reprimanded by the FA for writing Jesus on his captains armband.
I think we can judge other people’s culture, especially if they bring it to our country. The culture in this country is more accepting of Homosexuality, countries which don’t accept it are not as good as ours on this subject, there, I said it. I judged them, there you go. If look at the attitude of Egyptians(and generally any Muslim majority country) towards Jews - before Oct terrorist incident, they are wildly anti-Semitic - when that attitude is brought to this country we accept it because it’s part of their culture? Jews in this country just have to put up with it and post guards outside schools and Temples? No, they’re wrong and need to be called out for it.
Aside from the fact it's a bit of a weird thing to do, there's an FA Regulation stating that religious messages on kit is prohibited.
Think you’re missing my point TBH. Nobody is saying we should just accept. Just saying not as straight forward as him being a bigot.
Sorry fo the slow reply on this. A combo of a busy day & the disappointment of another defeat has kept me off here today No, I'm not saying that, but there were rumours that the Sun was going to out him at the time he took his own life. It was only speculation, but it illustrates the gravitas of why inclusion is important & not something that is just being raised by the "looney left", as the poster I was responding to had claimed. It seems like only men's football is in the dark about being LGBT+, it's not an issue in the women's game. I do also respect any individual's right to keep their private life / sexuality private though as well. Hope this clears up any misunderstanding.
That's fine JP . I was curious as I also heard some weird rumours but nothing definite . It will be the "terrace" attitude that affects the men's game . Yes inclusion is important .
Agreed. I'm not massively in favour of players being forced to wear an armband, take the knee, sing the National Anthem, etc. For me that exerts the type of control that you get in a repressive regime, be it Russia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar & loads more. People do need to stand up for their expressions too though & face criticism, if they do go against the flow. I'm fine with people having religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc, but if you are a public figure you do get scrutinised. It is the price you pay.
He wrote ‘I love Jesus’ and ‘Jesus loves you’ , which is apparently against FA rules but he might as well have written ‘I believe in fairies’…..on second thoughts ..
According to the last census 46% of people who responded to the religious question identified themselves as Christian’s, which suggests the answer to your question is no . I’ve no idea what happens in schools now at assemblies or otherwise I think it might be a more inclusive multi cultural offering
Which shows how ludicrous the law is with allowing religions to do anything they want and be as bigoted as they want
The Children Act 1948 in the United Kingdom includes provisions for children to receive religious instruction in the religion of their parents. The Act also gave local authorities the responsibility to care for children whose parents were unable to do so. Whilst there were amendments in the 1989 and 2004 Acts there is a requirement for schools to teach religious education. This is in the format of 'comparitive religions'. We may well be a secular society but successive governments and society at large recognises the value of maintaining the policy. Children learn the ethos of morality, respect for others and social responsibility. Attributes that many may not acquire at home. Contrary to your entrenched views RE in schools does not produce authoritarian bigots. As a school governor at different schools for many years I can assure you the value of RE is producing responsible, respectful , morally guided members of society.
