I avoided this story yesterday because frankly, it was incredibly stupid - and I hate giving stupid people a voice. But since we're giving soccer its due today, I guess I should do this.The guy who is the former head of the internationally known Juventus soccer club - Luciano Moggi - went on a bit of tirade against gays earlier this week. And tirade may be putting it lightly.
In a move basically completely similar to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Moggi said "There are no gays in football." And it only got worse - and sort of weird.
"In the teams where I worked there were never any. I never wanted to have a homosexual player and I still wouldn't sign one. I'm old school but I know the ambiance of football and a gay wouldn't be able to survive within it. A homosexual cannot do the job of a footballer. The football world is not designed for them, it's a special atmosphere, one in which you stand naked under the showers."You know what, I'm not even going to comment on the absurdity of that last sentence..
Anyway, I disagree with the idea that there are no gays in soccer - and it has nothing to do with the notion that soccer players are total wusses who dive more than Manu Ginobili - but instead with just the sheer number of players in pro soccer leagues around the world. There have to be some gay players.
I think I can understand though why they wouldn't come out.
Moggi forgot, however, that there has been a gay ref. Although this guy would actually make me want to see soccer games. Because you know, there's no scoring, and I still need some entertainment.
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