In theory, football is an inclusive practice, capable of uniting people of different races and social classes. In practice, the theory is very far from being a reality. Although inclusive teams have recently emerged, diversity remains far from the four lines, inside or outside them.
An essentially masculine sporting practice, football is a clear example of the fragility of the male and, at the same time, a reflection of machismo and even racism. I could spend hours writing about the difficulty women still have in finding space and support from their peers. FIFA to practice the profession. Also address the racist attitudes of players and fans, especially in European championships. However, I will deal with something more specific here: LGBTphobia.
The dissociation of football from homophobic attitudes persists in this sporting practice, reflected in countless cases of prejudice motivated by the intolerance of athletes and fans towards sexual diversity.
In recent times, when this practice began to be punished, clubs have tried to minimize disrespectful attitudes by organized fans in stadiums, in order to avoid fines. However, it is still quite common to hear shouts of "faggot" and "faggot", uttered in a pejorative tone, directed at rival athletes and fans. This practice is also seen in the national team's games.
Because of the bad behavior of the fans, the Brazilian Football Confederation was fined R$240 for homophobic attitudes in stadiums at official games in Brazil. The amount is the result of five punishments from FIFA to the national entity, all for the same reason: "inappropriate conduct among spectators" at national team games.
In total, the team was fined 20 Swiss francs (R$63), 25 Swiss francs (R$79) and three times 10 Swiss francs (32), for homophobic behavior of fans in football stadiums. Manaus, Natal, São Paulo, Porto Alegre and again in São Paulo, in games against Colombia, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ecuador and Chile, respectively.
In addition to Brazil, the Federation fined, for the same reason, the teams of Argentina (R$ 131 thousand), Peru (R$ 82 thousand), Chile (R$ 65 thousand) and Mexico (R$ 32,8 thousand). According to football's highest governing body, the fans violated articles 65 and 67 of the FIFA Code of Discipline.
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED
Homophobic attitudes, both in national and international games, continue to be a bottleneck that needs to be resolved, both by FIFA and national entities. Fines serve as a warning to warn that, as long as this exclusionary and discriminatory behavior is perceived, clubs and national teams will be fined. However, strategies need to be drawn up to prevent the continuation of this and any type of discrimination.
As long as specific layers of society continue to be overlooked and discriminated against, whether by fans, players or other professionals who make up a team, football will continue to be far from being inclusive.
