Openly gay footballer, Zander Murray, has commented on the decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 football World Cup, saying “the difference between a gay football fan and a straight football fan going over there is that the straight person has basic human rights. We don’t. Our existence is punishable by death. Theirs isn’t.”
The decision by FIFA to award the tournament to the Gulf State nation, which is often criticised for its human and LGBTQ+ rights record, led Peter Tatchell Foundation, the LGBTQ+ and human rights organisation, to say: “This is a crushing defeat for the rights of migrant workers, LGBTs & women. FIFA approved the bid despite Saudi’s appalling human rights record. SHAME!”
Murray, 33, was shocked by the announcement, but knows the decision won’t be reversed, and has instead committed to highlighting the country’s dire human rights record and imploring its government to change.
The striker, who retired from football this year, said: “People say things like, ‘Just abide by their rules and it’ll be fine’. But the difference between a gay football fan and a straight football fan going over there is that the straight person has basic human rights. We don’t. Our existence is punishable by death. Theirs isn’t.
“The Saudis have said it will be safe for LGBTQ+ fans but look at their current laws. Last year in Saudi they even banned rainbow clothing, hair clips, toys because they think it encourages homosexuality. In 2023.
“I grew up in the east end of Glasgow and I didn’t see any gay people. I realised I was gay when I was a teenager. It had nothing to do with rainbows. Rainbows don’t make you gay, but it shows you the way some people think in that country.”
He added: “If there was an out player like me playing in Saudi Arabia then it might cause an outrage, but it might lead to a realisation that they should just let the boy play football.”