News
2007-08-16
Gay rumor rocks
Brazilian soccer
The director of a
prominent soccer team insinuates on national television
that a player on a rival team is gay. The player sues for
slander
The director of a
prominent soccer team insinuates on national television
that a player on a rival team is gay. The player sues for
slander and goes on TV to deny it. A judge causes an
uproar by saying gays don't belong in Brazilian
soccer.
With a narrative
like a Latin American soap opera, the flap over the
sexual orientation of Sao Paulo midfielder Richarlyson has
shaken the hallowed and macho institution of Brazilian
soccer.
The commotion
started in June when Palmeiras club director Jose Cyrillo
Junior was asked on TV whether it was true that a soccer
player from his team was negotiating for an exclusive
TV interview to announce he was gay.
Cyrillo denied
the report but added, "Richarlyson almost
played for Palmeiras," suggesting the 24-year-old player was
gay.
Cyrillo later
apologized, but Richarlyson filed a criminal complaint for
slander.
Judge Manoel
Maximiano Junqueira Filho stoked the dispute by dismissing
Richarlyson's claim and issuing a ruling that suggested he
leave the game if he were gay. If he weren't, the
judge said, Richarlyson was obliged to defend himself
on the same TV program.
"Not that a
homosexual can't play soccer," Filho wrote. "He can,
but he must form his own team and federation, setting up
matches with those who want to play against him."
Soccer, the judge
said, is a "virile game" but "not homosexual," and
allowing gays could lead to affirmative action for the
sport requiring quotas of gays.
The ruling
prompted the government body that oversees judicial ethics
in Brazil to demand an explanation from the judge, who
has until Friday to respond. (AP)
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