Homophobia and pro-Pinochet stance unacceptable.
London – 28 April 2006
“It would be totally unacceptable to have Luiz Scolari as the England manager, given his opposition to gay footballers and his support for the Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet,” said Peter Tatchell of the gay human rights group OutRage!
“Football chiefs would never consider appointing a racist or anti-Semite manager. A homophobic manager is equally unacceptable.
“There is no place in sport for the supporters of racism, homophobia or any other prejudice.
“Scolari’s appointment would set back the Football Association’s current attempt to eradicate homophobia from the game. A tolerance of homophobia at the top of English football would send the wrong signal to players and fans.
“Scolari’s anti-gay attitudes could undermine the confidence and performance of England’s gay and bisexual players. That would set-back our chance of winning future championships.
“Scolari would only be an acceptable England manager if he publicly apologised for his past homophobic remarks and gave a public assurance that he would not in future discriminate against gay and bisexual players,” said Mr Tatchell.