Gay footballers battle for world domination

One year before the FIFA World Cup kicks off, 26 teams of gay and lesbian footballers are battling for global supremacy in the Gay Soccer World Championships

Co-ordinated by the International Gay & Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA), the tournament, which began on Sunday, is being hosted by the Federal Triangles club in Washington D.C., and supported by the local Major League Soccer (MLS) side D.C. United.

IGLFA spokesman Michael Pranikoff told CNN that the competition has been running annually since 1992.

“We started very small. There were just a few clubs from around the world. But we have gone from strength to strength. Last year the tournament was in London and sanctioned by the Football Association.”

Pranikoff said there are no professional players involved, but the standard of play is strong and the teams in the top divisions are very competitive.

Although the tournament involves club sides — rather than national teams, there is still a strong international feel with players from the U.S., United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Australia, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Argentina, Italy, and Norway all taking part.

The London Stonewall Lions are the reigning champions in the men’s division and expected to figure in Sunday’s final at Trinity Washington University, he said.

Despite the competitive nature of the event, Pranikoff said there are also less serious divisions where there is a more important message.

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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/gay-footballe…

2009 Gay Soccer World Championship Opens in Washington D.C. on Sunday June 14, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC — The International Gay & Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) will open the 2009 Gay Soccer World Championship (www.iglfa2009.org) in the Washington D.C. area on Sunday morning June 14, 2009. The 2009 Gay Soccer World Championship is being hosted by the Federal Triangles Soccer Club (FTSC) of Washington, D.C. This marks the first time the tournament has been held in the United States since 2004 when it was held in San Francisco. This also marks the second time that this tournament is being hosted in the Washington D.C. area by FTSC.

This year the IGLFA 2009 Official Gay Soccer World Championship tournament coincides with the end of Capital Gay Pride. The Capital Pride organization is a partner with IGLFA 2009. The 2009 IGLFA Tournament is also being supported by both the D.C. United of Major League Soccer and the Washington Freedom of the Women’s Professional Soccer League. Both the D.C. United and Washington Freedom will have players signing autographs this Sunday, June 14th at the Capital Pride Festival.

The preliminary round-robin matches for the tournament will take place on Monday June 15th, Tuesday June 16th, and Thursday June 18th at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The Quarterfinal, Semi-Final, and Championship games will be played at Trinity Washington University on Friday June 19th and Saturday June 20th. All games are free and open to spectators.

“D.C. United is proud to support the upcoming IGLFA World Championship this summer as well as the Federal Triangles Soccer Club of Washington D.C. and its efforts to bring players and teams from around the world to our city. The D.C. United fan base is a diverse, vibrant, and passionate demographic truly representative of the word, ‘United.’ Our supporters are all ‘Black and Red’ regardless of race, creed, color, nationality or sexual orientation.”

Stephen Zack, Executive Vice President, D.C. United

“We are proud to the support the IGLFA 2009 World Championship and congratulate the host club, the Federal Triangles Soccer Club of Washington, D.C. for bringing this tournament to our city and world class soccer to our pitches. The word ‘Freedom’ has a different meaning to everyone. The Washington Freedom supports diversity and the culture of being free to be who you are regardless of your race, creed, color, sexual orientation or national heritage.”

Mark Washo, President and General Manager, Washington Freedom

“IGLFA 2009 will put the international spotlight on DC’s dynamic sports scene and vibrant GLBT community. Both international and GLBT markets have proven to be big spenders when traveling, so the image and economic benefits are significant for the city.”