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EXCLUDED BY THE CLUB: Flamur Kastrati (right) pictured leaving the Kristiansund stadium with coach Christian Michelsen after a match against Sandefjord. The club has chosen to refuse the player to come to work. Photograph: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB
When Flamur Kastrati (28) was asked to be an ambassador for Salam Norway, an organization for gay Muslims, he was quick to say yes.
The Kristiansund player lay down and apologized after calling Vålerenga coach Dag-Eilev Fagermo a “fucking street sweeper”.
That was not enough. The 28-year-old is currently suspended by the club and is not allowed to participate in training or matches until the refereeing committee of the Norwegian Football Association renders its verdict.
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Now Kastrati receives unexpected support. Salam Norway wants the Kristiansund player sent off from the team. He is now an ambassador for Salam, which works to promote an inclusive and safe environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
– It means a lot to us that Flamur is an ambassador for us and dares to take up the fight for gay rights. It has been difficult for us to find role models who dare to say that “I was wrong, here I can change”. In some Muslim communities, it rarely happens, General Secretary Begard Reza tells VG.
She appreciates that Flamur Kastrati has admitted mistakes and regretted calling the Vålerenga coach a “sweeper”. She believes in Kastrati, who has always claimed that she did not know what the word meant.
Wanted as a role model
– Not everyone knows what the word means, and this also applies to many other words. You don’t think about what you say, but it still hurts those who listen. In any case, it has some consequences. The sport has said that this is not right and there will be a penalty. Kastrati will accept his punishment and contribute to a change, says Begard Reza.
– That’s the good thing about this case, that the entire chain contributes to a change. We want a role model who recognizes a mistake they have made. We need more of these.
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She believes that the sport has some major issues that it is time to address.
– I don’t think there is an open gay in top football. It says something about the sports environment, and the Norwegian Sports Confederation has explained what the situation looks like in football. Sport has a masculinity and machismo problem. This applies to everything from homosexuality to sexism and racism. Now we will work together in hopes of ending this.
Flamur Kastrati is glad that he was asked to be an ambassador.
– It is comforting to know that someone believes in me, and especially in an organization like this. When they understand and forgive, and also want me to be with them in the schools as an ambassador, then my apology has gone where it should. It warms my heart and it’s good to have him with me as the situation is now, says Kastrati, noting that he’s happy to apologize again.
– At the same time, I keep my word that this is a word whose meaning I really did not know. In Groruddalen, where I grew up, “trash” is used as a synonym for idiot / fool. In any case, it was a vocabulary that is not good when one should be a role model.
The 28-year-old maintains that he did not want to hurt anyone with his statements.
– The most important thing for me was to apologize to those who really hurt. I love all kinds of people of all cultures and I have never incited anyone, nor will I. There are no excuses. What has been said has been said.
– I will take my punishment and I will do my best to participate to help in society and make life a little easier for those who fight, not only for queers, but for those who fight against racism, homosexuality and all discrimination.
– You have received a lot of pepper in the comment fields after what happened. What has been the worst?
– Anger against my family, but it’s a war I don’t want to wage right now. I tolerate being called that, but when my family is affected, it is way above the line. The ones who goad me are not gays. Right now I am content to take the case that has arisen.
– You are not allowed to train and not play a match for your employer Kristiansund, what do you think of that?
– It will be as it will be until the Norwegian Football Association arrives with the penalty. I will accept whatever punishment I receive.
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