FIFA President Apologizes
by Big Dog on Dec 17, 2010 at 11:33 Political
The president of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), the football (soccer) association, has apologized for remarks he made about the 2022 World Cup matches in Qatar. Sepp Blatter was earlier asked about the treatment of gays during the events in Qatar and he replied:
I would say that they should refrain from any sexual activities.
Blatter took a lot of heat from homosexual advocacy groups that were upset with his comment.
But he was correct.
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and those caught in homosexual acts could be arrested and subject to Draconian treatment. I believe that Blatter was stating the obvious in telling homosexuals to refrain from behavior that is illegal in the host country.
I imagine he could have expanded his comments to tell people not to steal or drive in violation of local laws but one would figure these are pretty universal and most people should know these acts are against the law.
In many countries homosexuality is not against the law so homosexuals might not have thought about the consequences of engaging in that behavior in a country where it is not allowed.
Instead, a knee jerk reaction to his comments overshadows the reality that anyone caught engaging in homosexual behavior might not ever get out of the country.
Perhaps he could have softened the blow (so to speak) if he had also warned against adultery, a crime that can result in a death penalty for the woman involved.
I think Blatter gave good advice. At least now if people are arrested they cannot claim ignorance. That certainly would have occurred if Blatter had said nothing.
Homosexuals who are upset (most of whom are probably not even going to Qatar) should consider whether Blatter’s advice was salient and should be heeded or if they are willing to risk the consequences of getting caught by a government that has little tolerance for such behavior.
Cave Canem!
Never surrender, never submit.
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Tags: fifa, homosexuality, qatar, sepp blatter, world cup
Apologies like this are beyond stupid. I would love to have been this guy. Here would be my “apology:”
I am sorry that the gays are angry. And instead, perhaps I should revise my remarks. This year, during the World Cup finals in Qatar, all gays should have anal sex in the public streets. In front of the police station would be good. Enjoy yourselves and have lots of sex. Oh, but please be sure to buy your tickets and souvenirs before you start having public sex, please.
The guy is apparently a gaffe machine like Biden but this is kind of like the war on Christmas. The only folks getting upset about this are those that want to be upset.
Maybe he is a gaffe machine but what he said was no gaffe, it was valid advice. As for the war on Christmas, it has been taking place for years.
I’d rate it as a gaffe just because of the way it was stated. It’s a complex issue. I think that’s why it offended some but it’s hardly that offensive. The truth is really that in the background off all this the LGBT community wants FIFA to protest the treatment of gays in that country. It’s a fair argument. But asking a man to apologize for awkward, joking statements about a tricky subject is taking the conversation in the wrong direction if you ask me. I can see how some were offended, but I don’t see what an apology does in this case.
Adam, it was only a gaffe in other countries- there, it made sense, and really should not have been necessary to apologize- perhaps clarified a bit, but since in the MidEast gays are treated so harshly, this was but common sense advice.