“I am boiling when I hear about the very sensational claim. In the middle of the World Cup, the Fifa pamps want us to show off our genders. We are told not to shave down there for the next few days, and then we have to show our genitalia to the national team doctor.” That’s what Nilla Fischer writes in the book “Jag sa inte ens halfein”, in Norwegian “I didn’t say even half”. According to Fischer, the check was carried out by the national team doctor knocking on the players’ hotel rooms. A female nurse will then have done the check. LEGEND: Nilla Fischer (left) cheered with her teammates after she scored the winning goal against the USA in the World Cup play-offs in 2011. Photo: Ap The then national team doctor for Sweden, Mats Börjesson, confirms the above story to SVT. He says that the check was made at the request of Fifa. – One can understand that the tests are experienced as unpleasant, but there are no evil intentions on the part of the organiser, he says. According to Aftonbladet, the reason for the check was that three players from Equatorial Guinea, who took part in the championship, were accused of being men. – It is not within Eli Landsem, former national team coach for Norway, tells news that the Norwegian national team did not have this gender check. – I am determined that we did not have it, but I remember there was talk of it, she says. REACTS: Former national team manager for Norway, Eli Landsem, is critical of the Swedish players having to be gender tested. Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB Landsem reacts to the fact that the gender check was carried out in Sweden: – It is not inside. I immediately think that – that it is not inside. It has never been a thought to carry out on the Norwegian national team. It’s unethical to do, I think. So I hope we avoid this in the future. news has contacted the International Football Association (FIFA) for a comment. Fifa has not yet responded to news’s inquiry. – Can’t believe it’s true Former national team player for Norway, Solveig Gulbrandsen, refers to the whole case as “very special”. – I wonder a bit what the basis was. I understand that we must have some control points in top sports, but I have never been involved in this, she says. FORMER NORWAY STAR: Solveig Gulbrandsen. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB Current national team goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand was shocked when she read about the incident from 2011. – It sounds like an absolutely terrible experience. I can hardly believe it’s true. It sounds horrible. Such things should not happen, says the LSK goalkeeper. – Could something like that happen today? – No, that had not happened. No one in our national team had forced us to do something like that. I feel very confident about that. 2011 is a long time ago, but at the same time it is not that long ago, she points out. SHOCKED: Norway profile Cecilie Fiskerstrand calls the whole incident “absurd”. Photo: Naina Helén Jåma / NTB Former national team doctor: – Unfortunate and regrettable Former national team doctor, Terje Halvorsen, also believes that the Norwegian players would have refused if they had to go through something similar in 2011. – I think it is very unfortunate and regrettable. In any case, Fifa has not brought it up with us in the national team management. If it had been requested, the Norwegian girls would probably have said that it is out of the question for us, says Halvorsen to news. – What do you think of this gender check? – I think it is questionable in general to gender identify players. If the background is that someone cheats and that someone is a man, the problem must be brought up on the table – before the organizer asks someone to take off their trousers, he replies and continues: – I think it is, to say the least, questionable. The background is probably some suspicion that countries simply used male players or players with increased production of male hormones, but openness around such questions is what we need and talks with special associations. BIG PROFILE: Nilla Fischer stopped at a total of 194 international matches for “sweet brother”. Photo: EMMANUEL FOUDROT / Reuters NFF rejects He adds that he doubts that any of the male players would have approved this. – Then there would have been even more outcry, says Halvorsen. Both Fischer and Börjesson say that the call for the check came from Fifa. Gro Tvedt Andersen, director of communications and public relations in the Norwegian Football Association (NFF), also confirms that the gender check did not take place in the Norwegian squad in 2011 and that the whole thing is unknown to the NFF.
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World Cup stars had to show their genitalia – Norwegian profiles react strongly – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
