John Fashanu encourages fans to kneel in Qatar to protest racism and homophobia

John Fashanu encourages fans to kneel in Qatar to protest racism and homophobia

A former England footballer who is planning to come out as gay has criticised FIFA‘s decision to host the World Cup in Qatar.

It has been revealed that the star may talk about his sexuality live on television.

He thinks that Qatar’s anti-LGBT stance should have meant that FIFA did not make the call to hold the World Cup there. The tournament kicks off in November.

A source told The Sun: ‘He thinks it was wrong to decide the tournament should be played in Qatar when they criminalise homosexual relationships.

‘Obviously England will be taking part but he doesn’t blame them. He’s heartened to see the current squad of players will support the LGBTQ movement and captain Harry Kane will wear the OneLove rainbow armband.’

The unnamed former footballer is also hoping for protests against Qatar’s militant view on homosexuality, according to the source.

It comes after Gary Lineker earlier this month said that two gay Premier League footballers were considering coming out during the tournament.

He said that if they were to announce their sexuality, it would send a ‘strong message’ to Qatar.

Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar due to its strict Islamic rulers.

It has also emerged that Amnesty International has urged Fifa to pay at least £350 million of compensation to Qatar stadium workers for the ‘human rights abuses’ they have been subjected to.

Fashanu’s brother Justin was the first Black player to sell for £1million but his career was marred by homophobia – once being berated by legendary manager Brian Clough.

In 1998 Justin killed himself in a lock-up 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 save the family embarrassment.

In 1985 the two brothers were on Brighton beach, when they dug a hole on the beach and Justin told his younger brother to lie in it while he piled sand back on top.

Fashanu told The Mirror: ‘He started piling on sand until only my head was poking out. It hurt. I was struggling to breathe. 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 single day.’

John said ‘for the first time’ he was able to understand what his brother had to endure as a gay and black footballer.

He said this experience has made him 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 Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and added that: ‘LGBT people must be able to be who they are, but they must also respect the laws of the country they are guests in.’

Gary Lineker also led a backlash after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told gay football supporters to be ‘respectful’ of World Cup host Qatar.

As well as homosexual behaviour being illegal, there are strict laws on alcohol, drugs, public intimacy, relationships outside marriage, dress codes and swearing.

Veteran campaigner Peter Tatchell was stopped from staging the first ever LGBT+ protest in the country.

Mr Cleverly said Qatari authorities know they will have to make ‘some compromises’ when football fans from across the globe begin arriving next month.

But he also urged LGBT+ fans to ‘flex and compromise’ in comments that were promptly branded ‘shockingly tone deaf’ by Labour.

Lineker, who is expected to front the BBC’s coverage of the World Cup, queried Mr Cleverly’s remarks.

He posted on Twitter: ‘Whatever you do, don’t do anything gay. Is that the message?

Mr Tatchell, who claimed he was arrested by Qatari authorities after his attempted protest, also hit back at the Foreign Secretary’s comments.

He demanded the Government ‘use its public voice to condemn the appalling human rights abuses’ of the Gulf state.

As well as his comments about gay football supporters, the Foreign Secretary – who was yesterday re-appointed to the role during new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet reshuffle – took a swipe at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Sir Keir this week said he would not travel to Qatar for the World Cup, even if England reached the final.

But Mr Cleverly revealed he would go to the Middle East if he’s able to.

‘As Leader of the Opposition, he’s in a lovely position to send messages. I’ve got real work to do,’ the Foreign Secretary said of Sir Keir, during an interview with LBC Radio.

Former England footballer who is planning to come out as gay has slammed FIFA’s decision to host the World Cup in Qatar

A former England player who intends to come out as gay has criticized FIFA’s decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar.

It has been disclosed that the celebrity may discuss his sexuality on live television.

He believes that Qatar’s anti-LGBT position should have prevented FIFA from selecting the country to host the World Cup. The competition begins in November.

A source told The Sun, ‘He believes it was a mistake to host the competition in a country that criminalizes homosexual relationships.

‘Of course England will participate, but he doesn’t hold it against them. He is pleased that the current team will support the LGBTQ movement, and that captain Harry Kane will wear the OneLove rainbow armband.

According to the source, the unnamed former footballer also hopes for protests against Qatar’s strong stance on homosexuality.

Earlier this month, Gary Lineker stated that two gay Premier League footballers were considering coming out during the competition.

He stated that revealing their sexual orientation would send a “powerful message” to Qatar.

Due to Qatar’s strict Islamic leaders, same-sex relationships are prohibited.

Amnesty International has also demanded Fifa to compensate Qatari stadium employees with at least £350 million for the ‘human rights violations’ they have endured.

Justin, brother of Fashanu, was the first Black player to sell for £1 million, but his career was damaged by homophobia, with famed manager Brian Clough once berating him.

In 1998, at the age of 37, Justin committed suicide in a garage in London’s Shoreditch, just eight years after coming out publicly.

John told The Mirror that he previously paid his brother £75,000 to be silent in order to spare the family shame.

In 1985, while on Brighton beach, the two brothers excavated a hole and Justin instructed his younger brother to sleep in it while he refilled it with sand.

Fashanu stated to The Mirror, “He began piling sand until only my head was visible.” It ached. I was having trouble breathing. Then he simply abandoned me. When he finally returned, I shed tears. Now you know what it’s like to be me every single day, he continued.

John stated that, “for the first time,” he could comprehend what his brother had to endure as a gay and black football player.

This experience led him to believe that Qataris may learn more about the LGBT population, and that the World Cup should serve as a “occasion to educate.”

Although the former player agreed with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, he added, “LGBT individuals must be allowed to be themselves, but they must also follow the laws of the country they are visiting.”

Gary Lineker also led a protest against Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s statement that homosexual football fans should be’respectful’ of World Cup host Qatar.

In addition to homosexual behavior being banned, there are also harsh rules about drinking, drugs, public intimacy, extramarital relationships, dress codes, and profanity.

Peter Tatchell, a veteran activist, was prevented from organizing the nation’s first-ever LGBT+ demonstration.

Mr. Cleverly stated that Qatari authorities are aware that they will be required to make “some concessions” when football fans from around the world begin to arrive next month.

However, he also advised LGBT+ followers to “flex and compromise” in remarks that Labour swiftly labeled “shockingly tone deaf.”

Lineker, who is slated to host the BBC’s World Cup coverage, questioned Mr. Cleverly’s comments.

He tweeted, “Whatever you do, don’t do anything homosexual. Is this the meaning?

Mr. Tatchell, who claimed he was arrested by Qatari authorities following his protest attempt, also responded to the Foreign Secretary’s remarks.

He requested that the government ‘raise its public voice to condemn the horrific violations of human rights’ in the Gulf state.

In addition to his remarks on homosexual football fans, the Foreign Secretary – who was reappointed to his position yesterday as part of new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet reshuffle — took aim at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Sir Keir stated last week that he would not travel to Qatar for the World Cup, regardless of whether England reached the final.

But Mr. Cleverly disclosed he would travel to the Middle East if he had the opportunity.

As opposition leader, he is in an ideal position to send messages. During an interview with LBC Radio, the Foreign Secretary stated of Sir Keir, “I’ve got actual work to do.”

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