(CNN) -- Gay basketball star John Amaechi has criticized the head of soccer's ruling body for his comments about homosexuals planning to attend the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter was unable to keep a straight face when asked at a press conference in South Africa what to advise gay people who hope to go to the Arab emirate.
The mainly Muslim country, which will host the tournament for the first time, forbids same-sex relationships by law.
"I would say that they should refrain from sexual activities," Blatter answered on Monday, after a long pause.
"We are living in a world of freedom and when the World Cup will be in Qatar, this will be in 2022. And you can see in the Middle East the opening of this culture. It is another culture because it is another religion, but in football we have no boundaries". CNN
