Like this:

(Vlatko Markovic)

Dear President Michael Platini,

I have recently been notified about the homophobic statement of Vlatko Markovic, president of the Croatian Football Federation. As a thinking, rational human being, you will of course have realized that having few or no out-of-the-closet homosexuals playing football does not mean there aren’t any, so above all, the statement is naïve and silly. But more importantly, I am certain that Vlatko Markovic has greatly hurt homosexual players of all ranks and ages who might already be having a hard time, since discrimination without the aid of public officials is already very wide-spread. He will also most certainly have caused anger and frustration in all tolerant, fair and kind soccer-fans who care about equality – or who might be more worried about the sport and having their team made up of the best players, than about the sexual orientation of these players.

In any case, Markovic is setting a terrible example, especially for someone who is engaged in a team sport where fairness, equality and mutual tolerance should be central tenets. With his homophobic statement he’s basically advising young payers, no matter how good they are, to disrespect other players or feel ashamed of themselves for reasons that have nothing to do with the sports or their abilities in playing that sport. He’s falsely insinuating to all football fans that sexual orientation is a decisive matter when it comes to the respect you should have for a player, trainer, or any other person involved in team sport, be it internationally or locally. In a world where homophobia is already causing great distress, especially among young people who’re subject to inescapable bullying in their schools or hometowns, such encouragement of intolerance is really not needed.

I urge you to publically speak out against such homophobia and encourage mutual respect, tolerance and equality for everyone.
I hope that you’ll ensure Mr. Markovic will have to deal with the consequences for flying in the face of the UEFA’s RESPECT campaign.

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