World Cup: Paddy Power Backs LGBTQ+ Community
During the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is backing a campaign by London scene magazine "Attitude" that aims to integrate gay and lesbian individuals in professional sports. For every goal scored by the Russian national team, Paddy Power will donate 10,000 pounds.
In support of the "Attitude Foundation's" charity initiative, which promotes the rights of the LGBT community, Dublin-based Paddy Power has been involved since the kick-off of the World Cup (June 14th). The charitable organization is an initiative of the London magazine Attitude, specifically advocating for local LGBT rights.
According to their statements, the gambling giant Paddy Power Betfair's (PPB) London arm has committed to donating 1,000 pounds (around 11,400 euros) for each goal scored by the Russian national team to the cause.
With the largest sporting event taking place, the campaign aims to promote more inclusion in elite sports, especially in host country Russia, where homosexuality is still considered a taboo and socially stigmatized in many regions.
Despite being in metropolitan cities like St. Petersburg or Moscow, public attacks and physical violence against gays and lesbians, even from the police, still occur. Prior to this, Russia's anti-gay propaganda laws caused shock and criticism worldwide.
In the Name of Equality
As recently reported in Attitude, the cooperation between Paddy Power, Attitude, and the LGBT community is taking on a "hostile and discriminatory system." Hence, it's no surprise that the Russian national team is indirectly involved in the campaign to fight homophobia in football altogether.
A Paddy Power spokesperson comments on the partnership, "When you look at Russian dolls, you wouldn't think that Russia has a problem with women who love other women. I can't wait to see the Russian reaction to this."
The 10,000 pound wager on the Russian national team has already paid out: Russia won the opening match against Saudi Arabia with a resounding 5:0, and thus 50,000 pounds went into the Attitude Foundation after just one game.
The donations will fund various projects within the LGBT community in the context of performance sports, particularly football. The focus lies on combating prejudices against homosexual relationships, finances educational programs at schools and universities, and supporting "coming out" players while providing a safe playing environment.
The campaign is further strengthened by well-known and outspoken homosexual athletes from various disciplines, including swimmer Mark Foster, England's women's national players Lianne Sanderson and Jordan Nobbs, former Olympians Caitlyn Jenner, international rugby referee Nigel Owens, rugby union legend Gareth Thomas, and England's cricketer Danni Wyatt.
The amount of Paddy Power's next donation remains to be seen - with the match between Russia and Egypt set to begin at 8 pm on June 19th.
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