Controversy over ex-football star Iker Casillas ‘coming out’ tweet

It’s an announcement that took Twitter and the sports activities world by storm. 

On Sunday, the previous Actual Madrid goalkeeper and Spain’s soccer star, Iker Casillas, made headlines when he tweeted: “I hope you respect me: I’m homosexual.”

A number of personalities, particularly from the LGBTQ neighborhood, praised the footballer’s braveness. However the tweet additionally triggered a wave of homophobic feedback. 

Shortly afterwards, the previous Barcelona participant Carles Puyol added gas to the hearth when he replied: “It’s time to inform our story, Iker,” implying some kind of romantic relationship between the 2 athletes. 

Nevertheless, some doubted Casillas’ put up. 

Santi Rivero, elected consultant of Madrid and variety referent throughout the Madrid department of the Spanish Socialist Get together, had very quickly urged Casillas to delete his tweet and to apologise “if it’s a joke”. 

“The primary footballer to return out of the closet dedicated suicide due to harassment and mockery. I believed you have been a job mannequin and an instance,” Rivero continued.

A number of hours later, Casillas deleted the tweet and advised his followers that his account had been hacked. 

Carles Puyol also tweeted an apology: “I’ve made a mistake. Sorry for a careless joke with no unhealthy intentions and completely misplaced. I perceive that it could have harm sensitivities. All my respect and assist for the LGTBIQA+ neighborhood.”

This led many Twitter customers to imagine that the complete change was a joke, inflicting an intense backlash, particularly from the LGBTQ neighborhood.

Euronews spoke to Bella FitzPatrick, the chief director of the Worldwide LGBTQ Youth Group (IGLYO) who defined why the put up was seen by some as insensitive. 

“If popping out is one thing humorous, then it is one thing laughable. It makes us really feel like our identities are a joke and that is all a punchline,” she advised Euronews.

“Many people have skilled bullying at college for our sexual orientation. To develop up and to understand that also right this moment it may be seen as a joke makes it tougher for folks to return out,” defined FitzPatrick.

Just a few high-profile male gamers have ever come out as overtly homosexual within the sport.

One of many exceptions is Australian participant Josh Cavallo who condemned Puyol and Casillas for his or her tweets.

“To see my position fashions and legends of the sport make enjoyable of popping out and my neighborhood is past disrespectful,” he stated.