There aren’t a lot of top-level men’s footballers in the world that have come out to the world openly and have felt comfortable yet to open up about their sexuality. There are very few of them who have done it while they were still playing. But the thing is that, it’s only about the acceptance among the footballer and stars they play with but also about their fans.
For James Brinning, It will be like a dream come true if Wales qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Brinning, being a longstanding National team’s fan, nothing would mean more to him than seeing Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and company to make it to the biggest tournament of International football.
But next year, if The Dragons find themselves on the world stage, for the first time ever in almost more than sixty years, then there would be chances that Brinning wouldn’t be able to travel to watch any team’s matches in person. And the reason would not be that there are restrictions due to covid-19 or anything but only because he is gay and the World Cup probably will be held in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal and is considered as an offence which is punishable upto three years in prison.
“To be able to watch Wales play at the World Cup would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Brinning told CNN Sport. “But, honestly, I just don’t know if I’d be able to go because I wouldn’t feel safe. And that’s really upsetting to think about — because I should be able to be a part of such a huge moment in Welsh football history if it happens.”
In July, Qatar World Cup organizers made it clear and official that there won’t be any restrictions on anybody coming from other countries on basis of their “sexuality”, or not on the basis of anything else like “race, religion, creed, etc.”
“This World Cup is open for everybody.”
