Cristiano
Ronaldo is now the target of homophobic chants from fans at matches.
At a recent
match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Portuguese soccer superstar was
repeatedly called ‘maricón’ – a homophobic slur meaning ‘faggot’ – from
sections of the Barcelona crowd.
It follows reports that Ronaldo is dating Moroccan kickboxer Badh Hari after
it was alleged the pair were ‘more than friends’. This was not in proven in any
way.
The Spanish
LGBT Observatory has condemned the homophobic chants.
‘These
deplorable and shameful acts are punishable according to the law of Sport
(2007),’ Francisco Ramirez, the director of the LGBT Observatory, said.
‘For months the
Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo has been the continued object of insults
and malicious rumours from the tabloids, and also from sports journalists and
amateur players to rival teams, in order to humiliate, offend and denigrate a
great football player.
‘It is
necessary to clarify that homophobia does not necessarily mean that people who
suffer are homosexual, but only that other people believe it or use it to
insult, harass and humiliate others.’
The State
Commission against Violence in Sport was formed in Spain in 2008 and can
propose fines or bans on federations, clubs and supporters found guilty of
violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance.
Reports that
Ronaldo and Hari were together began with a Facebook photo. It featured Hari
lifting Ronaldo in his arms, with the caption: ‘Just married. Always there to
pick up you bro.’
These unfounded
claims have ignored the series of model girlfriends that Ronaldo has dated and
mentioned in several interviews.
When asked if
he was gay due to his love of ‘grooming’ himself a few years ago, he said: ‘I’m
at ease with my sexuality so it’s not a problem for me’.
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