LGBT+ football fans have launched a fund in an attempt to persuade FIFA where to hold the 2030 World Cup through 'donations'.
This year's tournament is being held in Qatar, which is alleged to hunt, arrest and beat LGBT+ people. Considering a bid for the 2030 tournament is Saudi Arabia, another country which outlaws homosexuality and persecutes the LGBT+ community.
In an attempt to stop the Middle East nation from winning the right to host, LGBT+ football fans, including iconic actress Miriam Margolyes, have launched the Big Gay Donation to convince the "definitely not corrupt people who run football to host an LGBTQ+ friendly 2030 World Cup".
If FIFA turn down the 'donation', the money raised will be given to LGBT+ rights charity Stonewall. Margolyes is fronting the campaign under the pseudonym 'Big Gay Footie Fan' and released a video to explain the campaign.
"Queer people, like me, across the globe love football. We just can’t support it like everyone else, because the World Cup is currently being held in Qatar - and we all know how Qatar feels about the gays," she said.
"But if that wasn’t a big enough kick in the tits, the 2030 World Cup could be given to another host nation that also criminalises LGBTQ+ people, judging by the countries currently bidding for it.
"It’s our big gay duty to make sure this doesn’t happen again. After all, a World Cup without queer people just isn’t a World Cup. Luckily, it turns out the wonderful, upstanding people who run football love 'donations'."
Margolyes then called for people to donate to a fund that is "so big and gay" that FIFA will be convinced to take LGBT+ rights into consideration when the host is chosen at the FIFA Congress in 2024.
"So we thought we’d create one of our own. The Big Gay 'Donation'. Put your hand out naughty boys. A 'donation' so big and gay and persuasive, it can convince the lovely, open-minded, honest people who run football to hold the 2030 World Cup in an LGBTQ+ friendly host nation," she added.
"Of course, there’s every chance they won’t accept our generous 'donation' because it might go against their absolutely unimpeachable moral standards. So, we’ll give it to a big gay charity instead: Stonewall.
"Helping to support queer people all over the world, including the ones living in Qatar. So if, like me, you’re a great big gay and you love football, or if you love football and also gays, please share and donate whatever you can to the Big Gay 'Donation'."
The fund was launched on Thursday morning and has so far raised more than £3,000. FIFA has been criticised by many from LGBT+ people for their lack of concern for the community when awarding tournaments.
