The court has let the President of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) Vlatko Markovic off the hook in the case of discrimination against homosexuals in football.
Center for LGBT equality and Center for Peace Studies have sued Markovic over his statement that no declared homosexual could play for the national team because only "healthy people" play football.
The judge of Zagreb County Court Jasenka Grgic has ruled that no direct discrimination could be confirmed and that the HNS as an employer should be sued regarding the prohibition of the right to employment on grounds of sexual orientation, and not the president.
The LGBT association says that the verdict proves that the anti-discrimination laws are not implemented even though they are one of the conditions for closing the European Union negotiations chapter on judiciary.
The associations had demanded that Markovic apologises and displays a sign during a game that would read "Stop to LGBT discrimination" during one of the games.
They will appeal the verdict to the High Court and will report the case to UEFA.
"We believe that the problem is very deep because Vlatko Markovic is the head of Croatian football, and sport – according to Law on Sports – must be equally accessible to all, regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation," said Marko Jurcic on behalf of the plaintiffs.
Center for LGBT equality and Center for Peace Studies have sued Markovic over his statement that no declared homosexual could play for the national team because only "healthy people" play football.
The judge of Zagreb County Court Jasenka Grgic has ruled that no direct discrimination could be confirmed and that the HNS as an employer should be sued regarding the prohibition of the right to employment on grounds of sexual orientation, and not the president.
The LGBT association says that the verdict proves that the anti-discrimination laws are not implemented even though they are one of the conditions for closing the European Union negotiations chapter on judiciary.
The associations had demanded that Markovic apologises and displays a sign during a game that would read "Stop to LGBT discrimination" during one of the games.
They will appeal the verdict to the High Court and will report the case to UEFA.
"We believe that the problem is very deep because Vlatko Markovic is the head of Croatian football, and sport – according to Law on Sports – must be equally accessible to all, regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation," said Marko Jurcic on behalf of the plaintiffs.
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