Watch: Amid Qatar Outrage, FIFA President Says 'I Feel Gay'

Monday November 21, 2022

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at a press conference Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at a press conference Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.  (Source:AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

The president of FIFA made headlines over the weekend when he "attempted to show empathy" with the LGBTQ community and other marginalized groups when he told reporters in Qatar "I feel gay ... I feel like a migrant worker," Reuters reports.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave a monologue during the pre-World Cup news conference on Saturday and took aim at critics who have are taking issue that the event is being held in Qatar over the Gulf country's human rights record.

"Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel (like) a vagrant. Today I feel (like) a migrant worker," he said. "I feel all of this because what I see ... brings me back to my personal story."

Infantino went on to explain that he grew up being bullied in Switzerland over his accent, red hair, and freckles, and because his parents were migrant works.

"Of course, I am not Qatari, I am not an Arab, I am not African, I am not gay, I am not disabled," he said.

Watch Infantino make his comments below: