World’s only openly gay active pro footballer is concerned for LGBTQ community ahead of Qatar 2022 World Cup
It is not the only reason, but a reason nonetheless.
Jamaica Tallawahs striker Andy Prentice said he would be worried about the LGBTQ community ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The Qatari football tournament in 2022 is widely expected to be a cultural celebration of sexuality and the integration of LGBTQ communities.
However, the Jamaica Tallawahs football club have received a homophobic slur from a former player.
The Tallawahs, competing in the 2018 Caribbean Champions League in Jamaica, are now the biggest team in that competition.
Prentice said he feared the LGBTQ community would be targeted in the tournament.
“There are a lot of people who are scared to go out because they might be targeted by people [who] are homophobic and discriminatory,” the 21-year-old wrote on his Twitter page.
“Being gay in Jamaica is a lot easier than in other parts of the world, but if homophobic laws are taken away I fear it may have a negative impact on our community moving forward.”
Prentice said he was only concerned for the LGBT community when it came to the Qatari World Cup.
The Tallawahs are competing in the 2018 Caribbean Champions League, a first-time tournament in the region.
The competition will run until February.