© AP
The football referee from Brazil, Igor Benevenuto, admitted that he is homosexual. The 41-year-old referee became the first FIFA category referee to acknowledge his non-traditional sexual orientation. Speaking on the website "Globesporte," I. Benevenuto stated that he had hidden his sexual orientation for a long time in order to fit into the football world. "Growing up, I didn't like the atmosphere surrounding the world of football. Even as a child, wanting to play football with others, I had to pretend to be something I'm not. Football has always been considered a man's game, but since childhood I knew I was gay. It was a perfect place to hide my orientation. I quickly realized that I wouldn't become a football player, so I chose the path of a referee. I have been refereeing for 23 years of my life, but until now I couldn't be myself. Unfortunately, homosexual individuals are accustomed to that," said I. Benevenuto.
