THE SWITZERLAND FA have shown a gay couple in the World Cup squad announcement video.
It comes after World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman called homosexuality “damage in the mind”, though a spokesman said there was no connection between the two statements.
The video shows a number of Switzerland shirts bearing the names of players like Breel Embolo and Granit Xhaka, with the Swiss keen to highlight the importance of diversity in their team.
A gay couple are then shown walking hand in hand – an act which is frowned upon in Qatar.
The video also shows an interview with Swiss FA spokesman Adrian Arnold, who spoke about Salman’s comments and revealed Switzerland will take part in the OneLove campaign.
Arnold said: “They are hurtful, unworthy, and totally inconsistent with the code of values that we have at the Switzerland FA. We always have at the Switzerland FA.
“We have always tried to make our statements and also to campaign for them, also with the working group on human rights, which our President founded.
“With the clear demand to all those involved that the same rights should apply to everyone – around the world, including in Qatar, regardless of a person’s political, religious or sexual orientation.
“We have decided together with the players that we will wear the one-love captain’s armband, Granit Xhaka will do so for the games at the World Cup.
“As a signal that the same rights should apply to all people in the world – regardless of their political, religious or sexual orientation.”
Germany star Leon Goretzka has also condemned Salman’s comments, decrying his view as “oppressive”.
He told German media: “It’s very oppressive. 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.”
Salman sparked outrage with his comments, saying: “During the World Cup, many things will come here to the country. Let’s talk about gays.
“The most important thing is, everybody will accept that they come here. But they will have to accept our rules.”
“(Homosexuality) is haram. You know what haram (forbidden) means?
“Why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind.”
