FIFA Task Force To Take On Anti-Gay Laws In Word Cup Host Countries Russia And Qatar

FIFA "is to be urged by its new anti-discrimination task force to pressure World Cup hosts Qatar and Russia to relax their anti-gay laws," according to the IRISH EXAMINER. Homosexuality "is illegal in Qatar while a new law has been brought into Russia outlawing the promotion of gay lifestyles." The task force, which was set up by FIFA President Sepp Blatter earlier this year, "meets in Zurich on Thursday and the issue of the homosexuality laws will be on the agenda." European anti-discrimination group FARE Exec Dir Piara Powar said that "it was important the task force did not just deal with racism and will raise the issue of Qatar and Russia’s laws" (IRISH EXAMINER, 9/8).