Cristiano Ronaldo is back at the centre of the gay spotlight after sections of a Barcelona soccer crowd were heard chanting in a homophobic manner at a game on the weekend.
The reaction by fans follows bizarre reports in December last year by European media outlets that suggested the World Cup champion soccer star was in a gay relationship with a Moroccan-Dutch kickboxer Badr Hari.
On Saturday sections of the Barcelona crowd were clearly heard chanting “Cristiano Maricon” before Ronaldo’s team Real Madrid scored a victory over the local team.
The Portuguese term “maricon” is a derogatory word of Latino origin that describes a gay man – “Cristiano maricon” (Cristiano is a faggot).
Spanish Observatory against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender phobia has filed a report to the State Commission against Violence in Sport in Spain over the abuse the Portuguese suffered before El Clasico at the weekend.
Francisco Ramirez, the director of the LGBT Observatory, said: “These deplorable and shameful acts are punishable according to the law of Sport (2007).
“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.
Last Updated on Apr 5, 2016
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