http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/05/gay-footballers-fear-reaction-of-fans At least eight professional footballers have revealed to colleagues that they are gay, but have refused to go public because they fear a backlash from fans. This latest evidence that British football remains a homophobic environment comes after Jason Collins, a high-profile American basketball star, became the first player from a US professional sports league to reveal that he was gay. In Britain, no professional footballer has come out and continued his career since Justin Fashanu in 1990. He stopped playing in 1994, but hanged himself four years later, aged 37. Fashanu had said that he had not been prepared for the backlash that followed his disclosure, and that his football career suffered "heavy damage" as a consequence. Earlier this year, Robbie Rogers, an American playing for Leeds United, left the club by "mutual consent" after announcing that he was gay. Rogers, 25, said at the time that remaining in football after declaring that you were gay was "impossible". Last week it emerged that he had left England and was training with the Los Angeles Galaxy football team in the US. Gay campaigners told the Observer that Clarke Carlisle, chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, had revealed that eight players had approached him to disclose that they were gay. Seven told him that the reason they would not reveal their sexual orientation publicly was not the reaction from the dressing room or club, but the potential reaction from the media and supporters. Chris Basiurski, chair of the Gay Football Supporters' Network, said that, although progressive attitudes had begun to infiltrate the dressing room, the fear of how supporters would react remained a problem. "The danger is not so much coming out, but what happens next," he said. "One of the problems Justin Fashanu found was that he was the first black millionaire player, and a lot of things were expected of him on the pitch at Nottingham Forest and it didn't really work out. When that happened, the dressing room and the management used his sexuality as a thing to bash him with." Basiurski said the organisation had heard reports of professional players whose sexuality was a secret guarded inside the game: "We have anecdotal evidence that players are out within their clubs and don't have a problem. But we are trying to create an atmosphere for people to come out safely, but at the moment there is a big barrier. The fact is, we have never really tested the fans, both home or away, on this. "The danger is what happens when a player comes out and gets loads of support and attention, but then start playing badly. The worry is that fans will start getting on their backs and they may lose the confidence of their manager and it could be connected to their sexuality." Last month fans of Brighton & Hove Albion called on the football authorities to increase efforts to tackle homophobic abuse after a report showing that it was prevalent in 72% of the club's games this season. Brighton has the popular reputation of being Britain's gay capital. The findings, which include allegations of chanting, gestures by players and threats made to supporters, were compiled by the Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters' Club. The issue of homophobia within football is gradually gaining political momentum, with Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, describing the absence of openly gay professional footballers in the UK as "outrageous", while two weeks ago MPs tabled a parliamentary debate calling on clubs, supporters and football authorities to eradicate homophobic chanting. Stonewall, the gay charity, has conducted research finding that 60% of supporters believe that anti-gay abuse from fans dissuades players from coming out. The organisation is working closely with the FA and PFA as part of the Kick it Out campaign to rid the game of homophobia. Andrew Wasley of Stonewall said: "There are signs that things are getting much better â at clubs such as West Ham and Arsenal in particular. But there are also gay people who are worried about what to do. The whole game needs to be much more open." Positive developments include Arsenal's solid backing for the Gay Gooners supporters' initiative, while West Ham player Matt Jarvis recently became only the third footballer to feature on the cover of the gay magazine, Attitude, after David Beckham and Freddie Ljungberg. Jarvis said it was about time a gay footballer felt comfortable enough to come out, adding that doing so could even help an individual's playing performance, although he later revealed that following his appearance on the magazine his wife has been repeatedly asked about his sexuality. Matthew Todd, the editor of Attitude, said footballers remained unusual in that most seemed afraid about being featured in a gay magazine.
I really dont understand why people have got a problem with what other peoples sexuality are. As long as they are happy and not hurting anyone then whats the problem, just leave them alone to get on with their lives. I just dont understand what the problem is, Society nowadays stinks!!.
Agreed Ricc, I have some chums who are openly homosexual, no problems. I detest the way that the word 'gay' is used though, once upon a time it was a great compliment, must be showing my age. They are much better human beings than those bastards Saville and Hall.
Well said Ric and Nicky I found out about six years ago at a school reunion that one of my former classmates was gay! He was a great lad at school and he has kept in touch since we last met. No harm in the guy whatsoever.. you would not have known had it not told us. A nicer chap you not wish to meet. Live and let live.
Well said Ric and Nicky I found out about six years ago at a school reunion that one of my former classmates was gay! He was a great lad at school and he has kept in touch since we last met. No harm in the guy whatsoever.. you would not have known had he not told us. A nicer chap you not wish to meet. Live and let live.
I have so many problems with this article. One, why the f*** do footballers have to be forced to come out by "gay campaigners"? Being gay doesn't make you special or more worthy of attention than anybody else. Not many people care these days, beyond gay people who have a vested interest in pretending gay people need a champion and the readers of heat magazine. Two, who exactly was asked by this "gay charity"? 60% means absolutely nothing, and meaningless, out of context, pathetic stats like that inserted into an article should make the reader throw the crap in the bin. Third, why on earth is there a gay charity? Sounds like another profiteering business without tax liabilities, founded on and attracting funding for the elite levels of the organisation through misnomer, whilst doing f*** all. Really, it's the 21st century baby. I don't care if Newcastle's players are f***ing a horse, I really don't care and don't want to know, just flipping play better! I suspect 95% (look I can make up stats too ) of fans feel the same. All this forcing our noses into people's private lives should be illegal, never-mind unnecessary abuse.
Oh, and the fact these "gay campaigners" have purposefully initiated a gay witch-hunt to serve their pointless propaganda is disgusting. Nobody cares I tells ya!
If I was a footballer, I wouldn't be happy having to shower and change in front of a gay man. They get sexually aroused by cock, just like we do with gash. That would make me uncomfortable. I have absolutely nothing against homosexuals, I have friends who are gay. I wouldn't want any of them seeing my bits though.
I wish Pulis would "Come out" with the TRUTH for once. and IF a gay guy came close to me with intent whatever he intended. I would smack the T""T simples. Do what you gotta do and leave the normal majority of our community to do likewise... Is that being anti gay? If so I really don't give a monkeys. They are in the minority let's keep it that way.
.... why on earth do you assume that gay men would fancy you ..... they have taste you know I agree with you Gandalf ..... who really cares
