rainbow laces have been sent to every player in the football leagues, in support of gay footballers. I wonder if any footballers will come out as gay. it makes no difference to the majority of fans but there are always that minority of fans that will look for an excuse to hit the players with a verbal assault. If the "fans" on the continent find out, they will crucify the player. They make monkey noises for black players now.
Matt Jarvis posed topless in Attitude (gay magazine), not heard that he got any abuse. And abroad Anton Hysen in Sweden is openly gay and he doesn't seem to have a problem. Yes there will be cavemen (to use a description a gay contestant used on Deal or No Deal to describe those who physically bullied him), especially in Italy who can't accept we live in a mulit-cultural and multi-sexuality (yes that is made up word, but I think it's a good new word) society. And I would hope that if a player of ours came out we would support him (there is probably several gay players in England)
What does sexuality have to do with football ffs? Keep it in your closet. It's now (allegedly) a family game, which means it all has to be healthy and squeaky clean for the kids. Why bother them with this self-indulgent nonsense?
Fans who don't care about sexuality would still chant abuse. Some noggin would start it and it would catch, anything to be used as a weapon. And rightly so, if it puts an opposing player off, it's a job well done. Not that I'd condone it, but I just think some people would wield a weapon to wind up opposition without being homophobic.
it's one gayiest ideas I've ever heard I'll give them that. "and it's Keane! tearing up the rear with butt spread wide"
I think the laces are a ridiculous idea. Sexuality is a private thing, why should a player have to announce it. What if half the team wear them and the other half doesnt, does that mean that the ones that dont are homophobic? If one player wears them will people think he is gay? Just get on with he football.
I agree, sexuality is a private thing - but sadly in the media and celeb mag driven world, things just can't be accepted and got over. The first one to come out is a major story. It's crap that is has to be, but it is. I cannot imagine a premier league footballer could have a relationship without making an announcement without some media outlet or other making it a "coming out" story. Once a footballer comes out (in the UK), it will eventually cease to be an issue, but until then, there is no possibility that a gay footballer could just get on with his life.
Is it actually designed to be a signifier for gay footballers, or a display of solidarity with gay footballers? I suspect the latter, which is undoubtedly a good thing. Most football fans couldn't give two tosses about race, religion, or sexuality provided the player does his job well. It is a family game, and tolerance and acceptance are certainly values I was brought up with. Anything that promotes those values are to be applauded, in my opinion.
