Sports | 2022 World Cup FIFA Prez Slammed Over World Cup Gay Joke Sepp Blatter recommends gay football fans not have sex in Qatar By Evann Gastaldo Posted Dec 14, 2010 11:13 AM CST Copied FIFA President Sepp Blatter gestures during a press conference following a meeting of the Executive Committee in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, Nov. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Keystone/Steffen Schmidt) Sepp Blatter will probably think a bit longer before he speaks next time: The FIFA president is being criticized for an ill-advised joke he made while discussing the World Cup in Qatar. Blatter was asked about the potential problems inherent in hosting the competition in the Middle East for the first time: Islam prohibits drinking alcohol in public, and homosexuality is illegal—making public displays of affection another potential issue. Blatter jokingly offered gay fans this advice, “I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities,” the Telegraph reports. He did, however, continue, “We are definitely living in a world of freedom and I'm sure when the World Cup will be in Qatar in 2022, there will be no problems … I think there shall not be any discrimination against any human beings be it on this side or that side, be it left, right, or whatever." Read These Next He's an American hero—and an undocumented immigrant. It's Splitsville for a high-profile Texas GOP couple. Surgical staff squares off with ICE agents. Missing teen surfer found alive on uninhabited island. Report an error