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Muslims, Gays Clash Over French Soccer Match

Muslim team banned after refusing to play Paris Foot Gay

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2009 5:47 PM CDT

(Newser) – An amateur soccer game sparked an ugly culture clash in France after a Muslim team refused to play a rival that welcomes openly gay players. On the eve of the match between Creteil Bebel and Paris Foot Gay, the Bebel president sent an email declining the match: "In light of the name of your team and in keeping with the principles of our team, which is a team of practicing Muslims, we cannot play against you; our convictions are stronger than a simple game of soccer."

The email circulated widely and set off a media firestorm. At an amateur league hearing, a Creteil Bebel captain apologized and said, belatedly, that it would play Paris Foot Gay, but league officials expelled the team anyway for discriminatory practices, Global Post reports. Paris Foot Gay tried to smooth things over by offering to play a separate benefit match, but Creteil Bebel declined.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Two soccer players fight for the ball. (AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri)

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What shocked most was the tone; it left the impression that it was something quite normal, that our response should have been 'OK, have a nice Sunday; see you later.'
- Alan Daligault, captain, Paris Foot Gay

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 31 comments

CenterIndependent

Nov 10, 2009 5:55 AM CST

little does Jamerican relize that Christ "palled" around with immoral people. Its amazing to find how many Christians who are not so very christ-like. Judging others because of your hate does not make you a true christian my friend, leave the judgement to christ.

freethemall

Oct 22, 2009 12:16 PM CDT

Jamerican's comment is demonstrative of the fact that the tolerance level of all faith based religions is similar, assuming a equal commitment to following the literal letter of the respective religions.

yummines

Oct 22, 2009 12:11 PM CDT

yea. just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean that they are the epitome of evil and you should not associate with them at all. While Muslim culture is intolerant of certain things, that does not necessarily make it correct. Maybe you can say that it is not our right to criticize other cultures, but shouldn't morality transcend culture? Someone should write a book of morals for all to follow (don't say bible or Qu'ran, I don't mean anything related to religion) that people agree on. But it seems ridiculous, sports are supposed to unify people together, not separate them...

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homophobia • France • soccer • Muslim • homosexuality • gay

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Muslims, Gays Clash Over French Soccer Match