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Op Ed By JoJo Rennie

Fans of the Women's World Cup may remember the tournament as one that positively reflected the (ever) developing skill and passion in the Women's game. Despite coverage focusing heavily on a hard fought underdog tale that saw Japan come out victorious, the tournament was also blighted by reports of blatant homophobia from the Nigerian camp.

A petition was set up to have Nigeria coach Eucharia Uche investigated by FIFA for systematic discrimination, as she 'removed' all lesbians from the Nigerian squad. Along with AllOut, the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association and the Federation of Gay Games raised awareness amongst the general public, and successfully acquired enough signatures to launch an inquest by FIFA.

It is absolutely disgraceful to have someone (in a position of authority no less) act in such a manner. What is perhaps more disturbing is the fact that a petition, with 46 000 signatures, was needed before having this issue brought under scrutiny. Uche made no qualms about how she felt, earlier relaying to The New York Times that the lesbians in her team were “a big problem”. After being appointed as head coach of The Super Falcons [as the Nigerian team is known] she highlighted how this “problem” was “cleared up.” These comments came on the eve of the 2011 Women's World Cup but it is only now that FIFA have begun their inquest. Just to make sure no-one was left still questioning Uche's stance on this issue she stated in the interview that homosexuality was “dirty”.

To argue in defence of free speech is inexcusable here. It is purely a matter of discrimination. On the simplest level, a person's sexual orientation has absolutely no bearing on their ability to play football (or any other sport for that matter). If it is an issue in the dressing room, then it is only because people make it an issue. Members of the LGBT community should not have to suffer for other people's prejudices.

The question of sex and sexuality in women's sport is an ever present issue. Many athletes have their reservations about how they are portrayed in the media. In a sport such as football where there is historically rich connotations of the 'butch' athlete, and the (often) public perception that it is a 'lesbian's game', players often try to distance themselves from this notion. As a result, many women, through pressures of media representations, actively portray themselves in a feminine light. This is recently evidenced through the Playboy shoot involving members of the German national squad (not those who performed in the World Cup). Many tennis players wear excessive amounts of jewellery and some footballers even wear make up during matches.

The comments from Eucharia Uche does nothing to help equality and tolerance in the world of football. Not only is it damaging (as well as extremely disrespectful) for lesbians, but also for straight women in the game. Sport is universal: it crosses all language barriers and cultural borders. In many respects it is an important platform on which messages of tolerance and equality can be, and should be, delivered. Andre Banks, co-founder of AllOut, has said on the matter: “soccer is sending out a clear and important message: homophobia has no place in football”. It will be immensely disappointing, and potentially detrimental, if FIFA don't follow through and deliver an appropriate message with the outcome of this inquiry.

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• SportsPLUS
• Discrimination/Title IX
• International/World
• LGBT

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