FIFA Told: Stop Homophobic Hate Graffiti from Serb Football Fans

UK gay news reports on an epidemic of homophobic hate graffiti that has sprung up in Belgrade by warring factions of football fans:

"The failure of the Football Association of Serbia and two clubs in Belgrade to distance themselves from homophobic messages and calls to murder gay persons which appear in graffiti across the city, bearing the ‘signature’ of fans from the Partizan and Red Star Belgrade has so outraged gays that they have written to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the world governing body for football, demanding action. Many buildings in the city bear the graffiti with homophobic messages, including calls for the murder of gays. Most are ‘signed’ by Red Star Belgrade and Partizan fan groups, the GayEcho website claims."

According to the site, the graffiti above reads: "Death to faggots - South Gate". South Gate is the name of a group of football fans. The graffiti below reportedly reads: "Serbia for Serbs - Out with faggots".

Gays in Serbia have written a letter to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) demanding action, but so far nothing has come from the group but statements against homophobia.

Outraged Gay Community in Belgrade Demand FIFA Action Over Hate Graffiti [uk gay news]

Cristiano Ronaldo's Legs Insured for $144 Million

Cristiano Ronaldo's thighs and calves have been insured by Real Madrid for $144 million:

"Real Madrid is attempting to protect themselves in case Cristiano, 24, ever gets seriously injured during a soccer match, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo. While the sum may sound extravagant, the amount realistically quantifies Cristiano's dollar value to Real Madrid in terms of market and monetary income. In June, Real Madrid shelled out a stunning $131 million transfer fee to acquire the Portuguese international winger from Manchester United. That amount (which was only the transfer fee) does not include Cristiano's lofty salary of over $18.7 million a year. The insuring of Ronaldo's legendary pins comes shortly after Czech footballer Zdenek Grygera delivered a vicious kick to Cristiano's leg near the knee during a recent friendly."

David Beckham in Scuffle with Crowd as U.S. Fans Turn Sour

David Beckham nearly got physical with a "fan" after returning to L.A. for a friendly match against AC Milan. Signs reading "fraud" and "go home" greeted Becks, who hadn't played in the city for five months.

At halftime, Beckham approached the stands and gestured at one man who jumped down before being hauled away by security. 

Beckham responded to the angry fans to news reporters following the game.

Watch both clips, AFTER THE JUMP...

Gay Turkish Football Referee Fights Back After Firing

Turkey's football federation is "backpedaling" after firing referee Halil Ibrahim Dincdag because he is gay and outing him to the press following a surge of public support in his favor. The surge was in response to the fact that instead of running and hiding,  Dincdag went on a popular sports program to discuss his sexuality.

The Independent reports: "Mr Dincdag's television appearance was an act of considerable courage. Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, unlike in some other Muslim countries. But homophobia is widespread, no-where more so than in the world of football. 'The crowds shout 'faggot' at referees whose decisions they don't like,' Mr Dincdag said. 'Well, here I am.' His principled stance brought him a wave of support. Three-quarters of Trabzon's 80 referees rang him up to congratulate him. Thirty thousand people signed a petition launched by Turkey's most influential newspaper backing his campaign. One columnist even compared him to Harvey Milk, America's first openly gay politician. Turkey's deputies brought his case to parliament. Most importantly for Mr Dincdag, his pious family, from whom he had kept his homosexuality secret, stood behind him.

Said Dincdag: "They thought I was an ant that they could crush, they thought I would run away and hide in a corner. But they have destroyed my life and I will fight them to the end. The day the press started writing about me, I went into a coma, and the day I appeared on TV I died. Thirty-three years of my life had disappeared. Since then, I have been trying to resurrect myself.""

The football federation now claims that Dincdag was fired for his performance and activists are saying his case has the potential to become a landmark anti-discrimination case because of Turkey's European Union accession bid.

Said Ali Erol, a spokesman for KAOS-GL, an Ankara-based gay and lesbian rights group: "For years, the European Union has been talking about the importance of legislation on sexual discrimination in the workplace. So far Turkey has not taken one step forward."

Cristiano Ronaldo's Vegas Massage: Down a Little Further

Cristiano Ronaldo has some work done poolside in Las Vegas. More, AFTER THE JUMP...

David Beckham Has a Huge Appetite for Pig Bottoms

The secrets of David Beckham's diet have been revealed.

from UK's The List:

"David Beckham likes eating 'little bum'. The soccer superstar, who is currently playing for Italian team AC Milan, reportedly has a huge appetite for Culatello - which translates as 'little bum' - an Italian delicacy made out of pig's rears. David - who has been in the European country since January without wife Victoria - was first given the food by his club's former manager Carlo Ancelotti, and the pair have been spotted eating it on a number of occasions. A source said: 'David can't get enough of this fine delicacy. It's got a much lighter and less meaty taste than most other prosciuttos. He's dying to get Victoria to try some.'"