Gypsy Soul

Source

i haven’t seen much on tumblr about jesus tomilero, so i decided to put together this post. i know it isn’t exactly real madrid content, but i think his story is really important for anyone who follows spanish football, or football in general, so i hope you’ll read it anyway.

jesus tomillero is a 22-year old referee, and the first openly gay official in spanish football. since coming out in 2015, he’s received a shocking amount of homophobic backlash, both online and in person. after one particularly vicious instance of fan abuse last may, tomillero even resigned:

During a second division youth game, the referee awarded a penalty. A fan with visiting club San Fernando Isleño then shouted “That’s the p**f who was on television. Stick that goal up your arse, fucking p**fter.”

It was the final straw for Tomillero who decided to call it a day after the match. Now the league’s oversight committee has decided to punish the offending fan to the tune of €150, a sum which the referee sees as “shameful” but said he was becoming used to such events.

He described his life in football as “humiliation after humiliation”.

as news of tomillero’s resignation spread, though, many prominent people in spain expressed their support for him, from the prime minister mariano rajoy to pablo iglesias, the head of the podemos party. iker casillas also publicly stood up for him on twitter:

@IkerCasillas: @Jesustomille A big hug and a lot of encouragement! The world of football is more respectful than people think! Everywhere has its share of “sheep”

@Jesustomille: Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, these words from a great like you!

according to tomillero, iker’s comments were the most meaningful, coming at a time when he wasn’t able to referee:

It’s hard not to be able to do what you love or feel. This morning I was at home with my arms crossed, tears falling. It is very painful for a homosexual person to be left out. To have to hide … Why? 

What Casillas said, really, has given me a lot of strength.

tomillero returned to officiating this year, and even started his own organization to combat homophobia in spanish football: Roja Directa Andalucía LGTBI, which is also on twitter as @rojdic_And_lgtb. 

more people in the world of football also lined up to support tomillero. in october, fc barcelona’s fundación recognized his work, and pledged to hold events supporting LGBT fans and players: 

Thank you @FCBarcelona_cat for your support, big thank you. Hopefully many more clubs will join. (x)

Thank you @andresiniesta8 for your concern. You’re great. (x)

unfortunately, while tomillero has received more institutional support and recognition, the hate hasn’t stopped. in september, he received a wave of death threats online when he wrote an official post-match report that listed the homophobic chants he’d received from fans. the threats were so severe that he had to seek out police protection:

“I go the first one about three o’clock yesterday afternoon,” he told the Guardian on Tuesday. “It said: ‘Reporting this was a mistake, Jesús. The boss has put a price on your head.’ There was a picture of a gun and a car and it said: ‘Get ready for what’s coming, f*****.’”

Tomillero said he was shocked by the abuse. “I had a fit of nerves and didn’t know what to do. But we got into a taxi and went to the police. They’re investigating the case, not just here but all over Spain. There are police officers outside my house 24 hours a day, but I’m still afraid and I don’t know what could happen.”

throughout it all, though, tomillero keeps fighting. he’s back on the pitch, and remains committed to fighting for equality. in this mini-documentary, he talks about his life and his plans.