Hoping to battle
antigay sentiment in the world's most popular
sport, the governing body of British soccer has agreed to
fund a video featuring high-profile players blasting
homophobia.
"After years of
lobbying, the Football Association has agreed to
approach top footballers to make an MTV-style video against
homophobia," said Peter Tatchell of the gay rights group
OutRage! Tatchell and his group have been pushing the
association to take measures against homophobia among
European soccer fans.
The association
is now searching for an advertising agency to write a
script and produce the antihomophobia video. Tatchell said
his wish list of participating soccer stars includes
David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"We're pressing
the FA to get this video broadcast on TV and at
matches on the giant stadium screens," Tatchell said. "We
also want the FA to put it on YouTube and distribute
copies to every school in the country."
The pressure for
the association to do something about homophobia heated
up last year after player Sol Campbell -- rumored by some to
be gay -- was subjected to a torrent of homophobic
abuse at games. And player Ashley Cole was repeatedly
tormented by gay-baiters at games throughout 2006.
(Neal Broverman, Advocate.com)
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