EGLSF highlight Jose Mourinho homophobic slur
Jose Mourinho is the subject of a complaint by FARE partner EGLSF after he used a Spanish homophobic insult about match officials.
The Real Madrid manager has been accused by the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation (EGLSF) of referring to officials as "maricones", which translates as "faggots" in English, before the Champion's League tie against CSKA Moscow.
Louise Englefield, co-president of the EGLSF, called on UEFA to take action over the comments, which were shown on the Spanish television channel Quatro.
She said: "Homophobia is unacceptable from anyone in football, much less from one of the game's most senior figures. We are deeply disappointed that Snr Mourinho is casually using homophobic terms of abuse in his workplace.
"It is especially sad that these comments have been made during the International Football v Homophobia campaign week.
"As long-standing partners of the FARE network, we call on UEFA to take action and impose appropriate sanctions."
Television footage shows Mourinho using the word while inspecting the pitch at the Luzhniki stadium on Monday.
Latest News Articles

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban…

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

Policy and Research Intern – Human Rights and World Cup 2026
Time Commitment: 3–4 days per week Duration: 6-8 weeks Overview We are seeking a motivated and highly literate intern to support our work on issues…

Bologna hosts the radical joy of the Giochi Antiracist Games this June
The Bonori sports centre in Bologna will become the vibrant heart of something different when between June 20th and 22nd the Giochi Antirazzisti takes…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban…

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

Policy and Research Intern – Human Rights and World Cup 2026
Time Commitment: 3–4 days per week Duration: 6-8 weeks Overview We are seeking a motivated and highly literate intern to support our work on issues…

Bologna hosts the radical joy of the Giochi Antiracist Games this June
The Bonori sports centre in Bologna will become the vibrant heart of something different when between June 20th and 22nd the Giochi Antirazzisti takes…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.