No Fags on Croatia’s National Team, Says League President

Because of the risk of spontaneously turning the soccer field into a Greek bath, homosexuals will not be allowed to play on the Croatia’s national nogomet team, the head of the nation’s soccer league declared.

Croatian Football Federation president Vlatko Markovic says that so long as he’s in charge, “there will be no homosexuals playing in the national team.” As for whether Markovic has ever met an Actual Gay Person, he told a newspaper, “Luckily, only normal people play football.” Which means he actually lives a pretty closeted life for a straight guy.

His remarks are unquestionably a setback for a global effort to increase awareness of homophobia in the sport — and get rid of it. The campaign has seen small successes (like Chelsea player Florent Malouda speaking out against it) and major obstacles (athletes refusing to appear in anti-homophobia PSAs). But yeah, the president of a national league decrying gays’ mere participation in the sport? Pretty brutal.