Zander Murray slams World Cup ambassador over anti-LGBTQ+ comments: “I felt deeply hurt”

Openly gay footballer Zander Murray slammed Qatar World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman for his recent anti-LGBTQ+ comments. 

On 8 November, the former Qatar international footballer told German broadcaster ZDF described the former Qatari international described homosexuality as “damage in the mind.”

In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and can be punished by penalties including flogging, imprisonment and even execution.

“They have to accept our rules here,” he said of LGBTQ+ fans travelling to see the World Cup. “[Homosexuality] is haram. You know what haram means?” he said.

When asked why it was “haram”, meaning forbidden, Salman added: “I am not a strict Muslim, but why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind.”

Since the release of the interview, an array of LGBTQ+ activists and sports figures have condemned Salman for his comments, including openly gay Scottish football star Murray. 

Lived in the shadows long enough, I cannot sit back as an openly gay player and not comment. UK may not be perfect, but I have been met with nothing but respect and support from the football community. “Damage in the mind” comments as the World Cup ambassador!? Wow. 🏳️‍🌈 ⚽️ https://t.co/vM7VjLqhc5

— Zander Murray (@ZanderMurray) November 15, 2022

In an interview with Sportsmail, the Gala Fairydean Rover striker said that he was “hurt and upset.”  

“I am now an openly gay footballer. And, of course, you feel hurt and upset by comments like that. Since I went public, the reaction has been so positive from across the UK. That’s why, when I heard those comments, I felt deeply hurt by them,” he told the news outlet. 

Towards the end of his interview, Murray went on to say he can’t help but be hurt by Salman’s words due to his emotional and tumultuous coming out journey.

“I can’t change who I am and the laws in Qatar are directly attacking people like me. For years, I have tried to be someone else and pretend I am not gay, and it created havoc with my life,” he said.

“Now I am being my true organic self, I can’t fail to be hurt by what’s being said there.” 

Murray isn’t the only footballer to criticise Salman and Qatar’s history with LGBTQ+ rights. 

On 8 November, German footballer Leon Goretzka described the ambassador’s words as “very oppressive” in an interview with the BBC. 

“This is an image of a man that comes from another millennium. It leaves you speechless that something like this can be said by a World Cup ambassador shortly before a World Cup,” he added. 

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is set to take place between 20 November and 18 December.

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