Sports Archives

Martina Navratilova Calls FIFA a ‘Criminal Organization’ Amid Qatar Controversy

18Dec

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

Sports

Martina Navratilova Calls FIFA a ‘Criminal Organization’ Amid Qatar Controversy

Tennis star, Martina Navratilova, calls FIFA a “criminal organization” in response to reports of their suppression of the “One Love” campaign at this year’s World Cup in Qatar. FIFA and everyone involved with the 2022 World Cup received strong criticism for holding the tournament in Qatar. With the nations’ history of human right’s violations and strict anti-LGBTQ+ legislation coming into question. The “One Love” armband was a way for soccer players to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community and its rights, while playing in a country where its existence is illegal. The organization announced that players who wore the armband would get yellow cards during games, opposed to the traditional monetary fines that typically come with these types of offenses. As multiple yel...

US Legislators Criticize FIFA’s Response to ‘One Love’ Armbands

17Dec

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Sports

US Legislators Criticize FIFA’s Response to ‘One Love’ Armbands

U.S. lawmakers drag FIFA over threats made to players wearing “one love” armbands and for sending "a message to LGBTQ+ people that neither they nor their allies are welcome at the World Cup." 30 senators and members of Congress released a joint letter Friday strongly criticizing FIFA, just two days before the final. FIFA’s decision to allow Qatar, with its archaic anti-LGBTQ+ laws, to host the 2022 World Cup has caused a great deal of controversy. When the tournament began, players from different teams wore “One Love” armbands to show their support for LGBTQ+ rights. Manuel Neuer, Germany’s goalkeeper, announces he will go against new FIFA rules and will wear the "One Love" armband. He will have to pay a fine and may receive a yellow card at the start of the game. pic.twi...

David Beckham Finally Addresses Criticism of His Role Promoting Qatar

16Dec

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

Sports

David Beckham Finally Addresses Criticism of His Role Promoting Qatar

In a statement released on Friday, the British soccer star finally addressed the global criticism he’s received for promoting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Qatar as a travel destination. According to the statement, Beckham believes that it's “positive that debate about the key issues has been stimulated directly by the first World Cup being held in the region.” This after receiving backlash for promoting the country due to it's questionable record of human right’s violations and strict anti-LGBTQ policies. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar and being caught can lead to up to seven years in prison. LGBTQ+ advocates pledged to boycott the World Cup in Qatar as local authorities failed to guarantee the safety of LGBTQ+ spectators and athletes. Beckham’s spokesperson told C...

Journalist Mysteriously Dies in Qatar After Being Detained for Wearing Pride Shirt

10Dec

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Sports

Journalist Mysteriously Dies in Qatar After Being Detained for Wearing Pride Shirt

American sports journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday after collapsing during a soccer game in Qatar where he was covering the World Cup for CBS sports. While the cause of death currently is unknown, members of Wahl’s family claim that they suspect foul play. The journalist & sports analyst passed away during Friday's Argentina versus Netherlands match at 48 years old. Wahl reportedly received death threats after being detained for wearing a Pride shirt at the soccer tournament. Stories of players and attendees being reprimanded for showing support to the LGBTQ+ community have tainted the 2022 FIFA World Cup since it started. On Nov. 21, Wahl tweeted a photo of himself in Qatar wearing a Pride shirt captioned “Security guard refusing to let me into the stadium for USA-Wales. “You ...

Brittney Griner Moved to Russian Forced Labor Camp

9Nov

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Sports

Brittney Griner Moved to Russian Forced Labor Camp

Brittney Griner’s Russian legal team announced early Wednesday that she has been moved to a forced labor camp. Her exact location is reportedly unknown to her lawyers and U.S. authorities who were made aware of the transfer on Tuesday, even though it was initiated 4 days prior. This comes months after Griner was arrested for trying to enter Russia with cannabis oil. In a court appearance earlier this year, Griner said "I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law." Griner's appeal was denied on Oct. 25. as a Russian court upheld her 9-year sentence. U.S. officials have stated that they're hopeful that Russia will be more prone to negotiating once the U.S. midterms are over as they don't want to give the Biden administration any wins. ...

NBA Player Gets $40,000 Fine for Homophobic Instagram Video

21Sep

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Sports

NBA Player Gets $40,000 Fine for Homophobic Instagram Video

The NBA announced yesterday that they will fine Anthony Edwards $40,000 over a now deleted anti-gay Instagram video. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard posted a video of himself using a homophobic slur to mock a group of men on the weekend of Sept. 10. This was followed by the video being deleted and Edwards issuing an apology the following day. The NBA has called Edwards' language "offensive and derogatory." Edwards made his apology via Twitter, "what I said was immature, hurtful, and disrespectful, and I’m incredibly sorry," he said. "It’s unacceptable for me or anyone to use that language in such a hurtful way, there’s no excuse for it, at all. I was raised better than that!" The Minnesota Timberwolves also condemned his actions by releasing a statement saying that they’re disappoi...

David Beckham Facing Backlash for Promoting Qatar

1Sep

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

Sports

David Beckham Facing Backlash for Promoting Qatar

British soccer legend David Beckham is facing backlash on social media for doing a 30-minute “Visit Qatar” video after years of claiming to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. The promotional video shows Beckham riding a motorcycle, sailing a yacht and visiting a spice market as he calls Qatar "perfection,” in spite of the country’s strict anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. The criticism comes as Beckham previously has marketed himself as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community by posing for Gay magazines and posting rainbow flags on his Instagram. 🤡 David Beckham historically posting the Rainbow Flag on Instagram.💥 Now the face of Qatar - where homosexuality comes with punishment of up to 3 years in prison and a fine and the possibility of death penalty for MuslimsNot that he needs the cash but £10m i...

The NFL’s First Openly Gay Player Signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

16Aug

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

Sports

The NFL’s First Openly Gay Player Signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Carl Nassib, NFL’s first active player to come out as gay, has been recruited by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nassib made history by coming out last year and has now found a team for the upcoming season which starts in one month. Reports indicate that the player has signed on for a one-year deal with the Tampa team. Nassib will be brought to reinforce the teams’ defense as they’ve parted ways with Jason Pierre-Paul. Nassib came out in an Instagram video last year and followed the announcement with a donation of $100,000 to the Trevor Project. The upcoming season marks Nassib’s 7th season in the NFL and his return to Tampa after playing for the Raiders in Las Vegas. This will be Nassib’s second time playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he previously played for the team in 2018 and 2019....

Russian Tennis Star Comes Out & Criticizes Putin

19Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Sports

Russian Tennis Star Comes Out & Criticizes Putin

Russia’s highest ranking single tennis player, Daria Kasatkina revealed that she’s gay and criticized her country’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. The athlete opened up about her views & personal life in an interview with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko, Kasatkina also said that the war in Ukraine must end. In the same interview Kasatkina was asked when she believes it will be ok for same-sex couples to hold hands in public in Russia, to which she replied, “never.” “For young people facing problems in public, it is very important when athletes or other well-known personalities talk about it,” she added. Although being gay isn’t banned in Russia, the country is infamous for it’s repressive policies and human rights violations. The athlete revealed that she has a gir...

Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge

7Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Sports, US

Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge

American basketball star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to a drug charge today in Russia. Griner was arrested on Feb. 17, when she flew into Moscow with a cannabis cartridge, according to Russian authorities. In a Russian court appearance, Griner said "I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law," Followed by, "I'd like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare." The plea means that Brittney Griner now faces up to 10 years in prison but could be sentenced to more. This follows Griner’s 4th of July letter where she asked president Biden to interfere on behalf of her and other Americans who are imprisoned in Russia. Legal experts suggest that this is a good strategy as 99% of Russian court cases result in conviction....