Football association sparks fierce gay debate

A proposal by Zambian football authorities to ban discrimination against gays has kicked off a dispute over homosexuality, which is illegal in the country and widely seen as immoral. A TimesLIVE report notes that the new draft constitution of the Football Association of Zambia contains a clause banning discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, in line with regulations from world governing body Fifa. However, Zambian church leaders and senior football figures say the proposal undermines the country's devout Christian beliefs, which are protected by the Constitution. Zambia does not implicitly ban homosexual sex, but it outlaws ‘carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature’, the report states. It says President Edgar Lungu has spoken out strongly against gay rights, despite pressure from donor countries that provide essential aid to the country.