http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/thomas-hitzlsperger-gay-fifa-blamed-3002160 Thomas Hitzlsperger 'didn't come out sooner because of "neanderthal" FIFA's attitude to homosexuality' Jan 08, 2014 22:31 By James Nursey 0 Comments Gay NBA basketball star John Amaechi also fears "toxic" situation will not change while football's world governing body has Sepp Blatter as president Inconvenient truth: "Ignorance, mythology and nonsense" kept Hitzlsperger silentInconvenient truth: "Ignorance, mythology and nonsense" kept Hitzlsperger silentGetty Images Thomas Hitzlsperger had to wait until he had retired to come out due to football's "toxic" nature, according to John Amaechi. And gay former NBA basketball star Amaechi insists nothing will change until world football governing body FIFA's "Neanderthal" president Sepp Blatter quits. Brit Amaechi blasted Blatter after former Aston Villa star Hitzlsperger revealed he is gay. Hitzlsperger, capped 52 times by Germany, said it was "a good time" to do so after retiring from playing last September. The 31-year-old former West Ham and Everton midfielder aims to "move the discussion about homosexuality among professional sportspeople forwards." But Amaechi, 43, fears progress will never be made while Blatter, 77, remains the sport's figurehead. Amaechi told MirrorSport: "I think it is a good thing Hitzlsperger has done, he is held in positive regard as a role model. "The timing is normal. If you work in an environment which you think is toxic to your health if you tell certain truths, then people will only ever be authentic when they leave. "The truth is the people who run football are the ones creating this environment. The fans follow the implicit lack of breadth when it comes to issues of difference from the top. "Blatter couldn't have a job anywhere else. In an equivalent corporate environment he would be out in a day. Neanderthals seem to be only able to hang on to power in sport." John Amaechi is made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) by the Prince of Wales (PicA)Honour: John Amaechi receives the OBE from Prince Charles Hitzlsperger is the most prominent Premier League player yet to come out. Amaechi believes football is lagging way behind other sports in accepting homosexuality, and called on Blatter, leagues and club boards around the world to be more open-minded. He added: "They could sort it out in two years, but it is way behind. It takes actions, not just pretty posters. Until they stab in the heart the ignorance, mythology and nonsense which is around bigotry then nothing will change. "They are loathe to do that, because it will involve some self-examination [which] they are not comfortable with. They refuse to hire people who will educate and challenge them." * Amaechi will be at next Thursday's NBA Global Games match between the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets at The O2 in London. a gay german? I didn't know there was such a thing. heh. Bladder really cant help himself can he?
I don't understand why this is new to be honest. Who honestly cares that an ex footballer has come out as gay... Can't stand the whole robbie rogers thing either.
i was all ready to say what a great post from you patty, till i got to the last line, you have to make a joke of it dont you.
Sorry, but he's only pasted the whole thing off a website. The only bit he's posted is his little "joke" As if Patty could ever be capable of a 'great' post.
Can you imagine if he 'd come out when he was still playing though? If shouldn't be an issue but there are some ignorant, bigoted people out there who would make an issue of it. For the life of me I can 't understand how somebody's sexuality can cause offence, which for some( a lot) it does. Baffling.
Blatter is just an awful human being. Fifa and football in general would be very different if good old Lennart Johansson had won the top spot ahead of him.
agree that Blatter is awful - can anyone name 1 positive thing he has done. And yes being gay shouldn't matter these days - although suspect teaching is another profession where being gay isn't met with open arms and understanding. Out of interest if Bruce was to sign Hysen (gay footballer in Sweden) or Rogers would we as a fan base as a whole be happy to have a gay footballer playing for us, not bothered one way or t'other, strongly opposed to that kind of player being allowed to pull on the shirt of this club. Personally I would see it as a good thing.
I'd be amazed if anyone cared if we had a gay player. There would undoubtedly be jokes and chanting from opposition fans but why would anyone be really bothered? It's like when you get opposition players with long hair, everyone sings gypsy based songs at him, even if we've got Boyd and Huddlestone playing with their flowing locks. Nonsensical and no one really cares surely? I hate Blatter, but why is he seen to be homophobic? Racist yes but I'm not aware of his homophobic comments or actions?
He said something about how people going to Qatar for the World Cup should act in a way which respects the local laws. (being as it is illegal over there) I do wonder though how many people who were outraged about that are the same people that say people coming here should respect our laws rather than trying to change them just because they don't like them.
I do wonder if all the screeching buffoons bleating about Di Canio's political beliefs are the same ones banging on about a player's sexuality having nothing to do with football. As for Blatter & FIFA, how can they decide on the venue and the time (Qatar) then only later realise it will be 50 degrees and unplayable temps. Btw, what are the attractions/leisure options between games in Qatarh?
Reg Blampey makes a comment on the subject of homosexuals and uses the word "screeching." Didn't expect that.
Agree with this also. There seems to be far more talk about the 'need' for gay footballers to come out and what a big problem it is that we're all so unaccepting than there is talk of any real issue with gay footballers. These problems are clearly very exaggerated to give 'do-gooders' something to talk about. Who actually cares? Is there anyone actually saying they wouldn't feel comfortable supporting a gay player or a gay team mate? I haven't seen it if they have. It winds me up that so much time is wasted talking about stuff like this when it could be spent looking at real problems. In fairness he's said nothing wrong there has he? He's talking about screeching in the media, which there really is too much of.
