Nigeria: Uche’s Homosexual Charge Causes More Ripples

14 July 2011

Nigeria’s Falcons might have crashed out of the world cup when they should be playing in the final, but the famous remarks made by coach Eucheria Uche that lesbians were not welcomed in her team continue to make waves.

More than 40,000 people signed a petition for Uche to be fired. And FIFA give the controversy credibility when the world soccer ruling body declared July 13 discrimination free day, it was celebrated during the semi-finals on Wednesday.

While the Falcons campaigned for honours in Germany, they were whistled by the fans who did not appreciate quality of football the Nigerian girls played. Rather the fans were more concerned about Uche’s comment.

The former Nigeria internal rattled nerves on the even of the tournament when she branded. homosexuality as ‘dirty’.

“Homosexuality is a dirty thing, spiritually and morally it is very, very wrong,” Uche is quoted as saying in German daily Bild.

Before Uche took charge in 2009, players are reported to have been thrown out of the Nigerian side under suspicion of being lesbians.

In a mission statement, FIFA says it wants to use the sport in ‘overcoming social and cultural obstacles for women with the ultimate aim of improving women?s standing in society’.

The coach refused to be drawn into comments on the matter during the week. She obviously had a chat with FIFA head of women competition, Tatjana Haenni. She had rebuked Uche for her comments and promise to speak to her.

AllAfrica – All the Time