A recent match between the local gay football team Styrmir and a celebrity line-up received a well earned attention in the Icelandic media. The purpose of the game was to drum up some publicity for the coming up Iceland Express Cup in April and to address the issue of homophobia in sports resulting in manly talented players giving up their career.
Unfortunately homophobia in football is a sad reality and something which is very important to Recognize and fight against. Europe football association (UEFA) has actively been fighting against discrimination of any kind with it’s Unite against racism campaign but when launching the campaign in 2003 there was not a single player in the European professional leagues who was openly gay. To our knowledge that has not changed.
A part of the Iceland Express Cup the Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ) will show its support in the cause and by hosting a conference about homophobia in sports which is to take place later this year.
Visit IEX official website for more information about the tournament and event program.
