FCSB Owner Says Women's Football Is 'Against Human Nature'

Gigi Becali, the owner of Romanian football team FCSB (formerly Steaua Bucharest), has said women shouldn't play football because it is "dangerous" and "against human nature," and he would quit the sport if UEFA forced him to add a women's team. 

The former Romanian parliament member phoned into TV show Ora Exacta in Sport (h/t CNN's Aimee Lewis) and was asked what he would do if UEFA tried to force him into adding a women's team:

"I'll quit football!

"You can't do things against God's will.

"How can a woman play football?

"She isn't built for playing football. Her body isn't made for football. It's dangerous. The female was created to be beautiful, to attract the opposite sex.

"We are affecting women by letting them play football or by allowing them to box. They should play handball, volleyball, basketball, but not aggressive sports."

Raed Krishan/Associated Press

He was also asked whether adding women's football would be a way to align Romanian football with "Western ideas" to which he responded it would be "aligning to Satan's ideas."

Per the report, the Washington Post once described Becali as "the most offensive owner in world sports" and Romanian journalist Emanuel Rosu said Becali enjoys attention and wants to make headlines.

Rosu commented further on Twitter:

UEFA provided CNN with a statement highlighting their fight against intolerance and discrimination:

"The fight to eliminate discrimination, intolerance and racism from football is a major priority for our organization.

"UEFA strongly believes the power of football can be used to tackle such issues as racism, homophobia, discrimination against ethnic minorities and institutional discrimination such as under-representation of women, or lack of diversity."

As shared by football writer Kimberly McCauley it is but the latest in a long line of controversies involving Becali:

"

Becali has also called black players monkeys, tried to ban gay people, and thrown physical temper tantrums in public. He’s almost certainly the worst person involved in top level soccer.

— Kimberly McCauley (@lgbtqfc) December 20, 2018"

Per Lewis, he resigned his post in parliament after he was convicted of corruption in 2013.

FCSB is historically Romania's top performing club, having won the national league 26 times and primarily earning fame under the Steaua Bucharest name. The club also won the 1985-56 European Cup and 1986 European Super Cup.