Mohamed Aboutrika says homosexuality is “dangerous ideology” against the backdrop of the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign
A consultant to beIN Sports in the Middle East, former Egyptian international Mohamed Aboutrika gave a lengthy live homophobic speech, calling on Muslim players in the Premier League to boycott pro-LGBTQ+ campaigns.
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Egyptian player statements
Former Egyptian international Mohamed Aboutrika has described homosexuality as a “dangerous ideology” amid an English Premier League initiative championing LGBTQ+ inclusion
He was invited to speak about an inclusive Premier League action, “Rainbow Laces”, which promotes LGBTQ+ rights. Aboutrika does not tolerate such an action, and went on to create a homophobic monologue that has caused a stir on social media. Aboutrika said: Official tours in which the English League supports LGBTQ+ rights through the port by players of LGBTQ+ logos and wipes, as well as rainbow shoe bars, are in favor of LGBTQ+.
“Our role is to stand up to this phenomenon, homosexuality, because it’s a dangerous ideology and it’s becoming nasty and people are not ashamed of it anymore”, added Aboutrika, referring to “the fight against the divine religions of homosexuality”.
He also stressed the seriousness of the phenomenon of supporting homosexuals to Arab and Islamic societies, pointing out that Qatar is about to organize the 2022 World Cup, which requires teams and participating countries to respect the customs and traditions of Arab and Islamic countries.
Aboutrika also called on Arab and Muslim players and sports commentators to “oppose and not participate in these campaigns”.
Qatar’s response
These statements have sparked a wide debate between supporters and opponents on social media. However, BeIN sport has not lost its silence on the controversial response, which was reported by the British website The Athletic.
BeIN Sport said that it would review Aboutrika’s statements.
In a statement, a beIN Media Group spokesperson said: “As a global media group we represent, champion and support people, causes and interests of every single background, language and cultural heritage across 43 hugely diverse countries, as we show every day”.
“We wholeheartedly disagree with the pundit’s views”, said a Premier League spokesperson. “The Premier League and its clubs are committed to supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion and making clear football is for everyone”.
BeIN Sport
The Guardian published a report in which it discussed the incident, entitled “beIN Sports Channel accused Qatar of fueling homophobia”, pointing to the accusations of beIN Sports exaggerating homophobia, wondering if there is a danger for the gay community to travel to Qatar to attend the World Cup.
Mohamed Aboutrika, one of the station’s most popular critics, sparked outrage after he urged Muslim players to boycott the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign, designed to support the LGBTQ+ community, and to say that homosexuality is not “compatible” with Islam.
Aboutrika’s comments were broadcast live on BeIN, the channel that broadcasts Premier League matches in the Middle East and North Africa, less than a year before Qatar is due to host the World Cup. As a result, the country has been criticized by human rights groups for its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.
The newspaper noted the strong criticism of Aboutrika by the soccer charity Kick It Out and the BeIN for allowing hate speech on its network.
The organization said: “We are very disappointed and concerned that BeIN Sports has decided that it is appropriate to broadcast this entire hate speech on their network, and urged them to issue an apology to the LGBTQ+ community to do so. As a Qatar’s broadcaster, beIN’s willingness to amplify homophobia in this way places more emphasis on the safety of LGBTQ+ fans and players who may travel to Qatar to attend the World Cup, let alone the freedoms of LGBTQ + Qataris”.
These are the focus of the newly formed Qatar Action Group 2022 at Kick It Out, which, along with the likes of Stonewall, Football V Homophobia and Inside Inclusion, hopes to enhance solidarity and security for the masses at next year’s tournament, as well as create a lasting impact for fans. The rights of the LGBTI community in Qatar, and about the decision-making process for future tournaments”.
Fare, an anti-discrimination network in football, wonders why Aboutrika’s comments were not challenged during the show. The organization tweeted: “It is very disappointing to see Egyptian legend Mohamed Aboutrika ignore the Rainbow Campaign in the Premier League and use religious attitudes to do so, there is no challenge to beIN Sports. He was given space to deny rights and existence of a society”.
“The Guardian” revealed that beIN Sport had scolded Aboutrika and punished him for expressing opinions that seemed contrary to it but had no plans to fire him.
Turning to the response of the Executive President of Qatar 2022, Nasser Al Khater, he said: Members of the LGBTQ+ community will be welcome at the World Cup.
Nasser al-Khater told CNN: “Everyone is welcome. The public display of affection is reprehensible, and this is universal – in every respect, Qatar is a humble country. That’s all we have to respect. Otherwise, everyone is free to live his life”.
