Football’s world governing body FIFA has written to
the Nigerian Football Association over claims that lesbians are now banned from
playing football there.
Dilichukwu Onyedinma, chair of the Nigeria Women
Football League (NWFL), was quoted as making the statement.
“Any player associated with it willbe disqualified,”
she is quoted as saying.
While contravening Fifa’s anti-discrimination
policies, the situation is made more complicated because homosexuality is
illegal in Nigeria.
Currently, a Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill
that specifically outlaws same-sex unions is awaiting a signature from President
Goodluck Jonathan to go in to law.
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If that occurs, gatherings of homosexuals or any
other support for gay clubs, organisations, unions – whether in secret or in
public -will be banned, with same-sex couples facing up to 14 years in prison.
In a speech at the NWFL’s recent annual general
assembly, Onyedinma is reported to have said that lesbian players would no
longer be eligible for the Nigeria women’s national team and would “be sacked”
from their club sides.
The Super Falcons have won the Africa Women’s
Championship eight times, but exited the 2011 Women’s World Cup at the group stage
and did not qualify for London 2012.
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