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==Gay Marriage and the World Cup==

==Gay Marriage and the World Cup==

Likely for reasons pointed out by [[Ann Coulter]] in [http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/columnists/2014/06/25/coulter-growing-interest-soccer-sign-nations-moral-decay/11372137/ a column criticizing how un-American soccer is], the World Cup seems to contradict the well-established theory that countries which legalize gay marriage thereafter witness deterioration in national athletic ability. For instance, Spain legalized gay marriage in 2005, and within three years was rated the #1 team by FIFA, which they have held ever since, winning the World Cup in 2010. The runner-up that year, the Netherlands, had previously legalized gay marriage in 2001. So far, in the 2014 World Cup, of the 16 remaining teams, 6 have legalized gay marriage (Brazil, Netherlands, Uruguay, France, Argentina, and Belgium) as well as the USA, which has seen federal recognition, and legalization for nearly half the population. A further five have some recognition and/or civil unions.The two nations which were the first in the world to legalize the practice, Netherlands in 2001 and Belgium in 2003, are so far undefeated in the 2014 tournament. This does lead one to question the morality of soccer as a sport, when compared to the more competitive, American sports such as football and baseball.

Likely for reasons pointed out by [[Ann Coulter]] in [http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/columnists/2014/06/25/coulter-growing-interest-soccer-sign-nations-moral-decay/11372137/ a column criticizing how un-American soccer is], the World Cup seems to contradict the well-established theory that countries which legalize gay marriage thereafter witness deterioration in national athletic ability. For instance, Spain legalized gay marriage in 2005, and within three years was rated the #1 team by FIFA, which they have held ever since, winning the World Cup in 2010. The runner-up that year, the Netherlands, had previously legalized gay marriage in 2001. So far, in the 2014 World Cup, of the 16 remaining teams, 6 have legalized gay marriage (Brazil, Netherlands, Uruguay, France, Argentina, and Belgium) as well as the USA, which has seen federal recognition, and legalization for nearly half the population. A further five have some recognition and/or civil unions.The two nations which were the first in the world to legalize the practice, Netherlands in 2001 and Belgium in 2003, have so far won all their games in the 2014 tournament. This does lead one to question the morality of soccer as a sport, when compared to the more competitive, American sports such as football and baseball.

 

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Soccer]]

[[Category:Soccer]]