Featured events


7-9 September 2012
Brussels Games
Brussels

Brussels Gay Sports will offer a weekend of fun and fairplay in the capital of Europe, with volleyball, swimming, badminton, and tennis, as well as fitness and hiking.

Learn more HERE.
26-28 October 2012
QueergamesBern
Bern, Switzerland

The success of the first edition of the QueergamesBern proved the need for an LGBT multisport event in Switzerland. This year will be even bigger, with badminton, bowling, running, walking, floorball.

Learn more HERE.
17-20 January 2013
Sin City Shootout
Las Vegas
The 7th Sin City Shootout will feature softball, ice hockey, tennis, wrestling, basketball, dodgeball, bodybuilding and basketball.

Learn more HERE.

13-16 June 2013
IGLFA Euro Cup
Dublin
After this year's edition in Budapest at the EuroGames, the IGLFA Euro Cup heads to Dublin for 2013, hosted by the Dublin Devils and the Dublin Phoenix Tigers.

Learn more HERE.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Muslim team refuses to play gay-friendly football team in Paris

Adapted from an article in Le Nouvel Observateur, HERE.

Because "our beliefs are far more important than a football game," said Bébel of Créteil, France, a club of "practicing Muslims", "we can not play" against Paris Foot Gay, a gay-friendly soccer club.

Paris Foot Gay club is indignant that the Muslim club refused to play against it on Sunday, October 4, because of Paris Foot Gay's status as a proudly gay and gay-friendly team.

In a statement, Paris Foot Gay asked their league, the CFL (recreational football league), a signatory of the Charter Against Homophobia, to impose the appropriate sanctions." The club also plans to file a criminal complaint, noting that "homophobia, like racism, is subject to criminal prosecution."

The organizing committee of the match was said to be "stunned" at the refusal, according to France Inter news, and summoned Créteil Bébel to explain.

"Our belief, more important than football match"

Saturday, October 3, Paris Foot Gay received an email signed by Créteil Bébel canceling the match between the two teams scheduled for the next day.

"Sorry, but from the name of your team and in accordance with the principles of our team, a team of practicing Muslims, we cannot play against you; our beliefs are far more important than a football game. Once again, we apologize for informing you of this so late," wrote Créteil Bébel.

A letter that is quite polite, remarks Paris Foot Gay, but that notes that "this team has simply refused to play a match so as to avoid having to play against homosexuals." The club stated that "Paris Foot Gay is not a communitarian club, and is open to all, straight people and gay, happy to fight together against prejudice and discrimination."

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