Posted February 28, 20187 yr Just got me thinking, in my mind. Do you think we will ever have a footballer who plays in the top four divisions of the English Football League come out? There are currently no footballers in the top four tiers of English football who are gay at all. I think only Thomas Hitzlsperger is the only openly gay footballer who has played in the Premier League. And also the tragedy of Justin Fashanu who become the first professional footballer to come out as openly gay. Is it still a taboo subject?
February 28, 20187 yr Just got me thinking, in my mind. Do you think we will ever have a footballer who plays in the top four divisions of the English Football League come out? There are currently no footballers in the top four tiers of English football who are gay at all. I think only Thomas Hitzlsperger is the only openly gay footballer who has played in the Premier League. Is it still a taboo subject? Justin Fashanu was the only gay top flight footballer to come out whilst still playing, although his story didn't have a very happy ending. I'm sure there will be a top flight footballer who comes out within the next few years, although I imagine it'll be one whose career is already on the wane who may hope that doing so will help to keep his career going - the first one to come out will be showered with literally all the praise, glory, and yes, all the money. (As well as a lot of abuse as well, unfortunately).
February 28, 20187 yr Author Unfortunately there will be an awful lot of abuse from fans when it happens.
February 28, 20187 yr It must happen eventually, although I have a feeling the first will be a footballer who's 'outed' before they're comfortable with that information being public which would be pretty sad but I'm sure would make big headlines. I can't see the football community becoming any less homophobic until players do face the fire and eventually it'll become more normal - it just needs to be a big discussion point in the eye of the GP before attitudes start changing I believe.
February 28, 20187 yr I hope it does't happen because a player is about to be outed by the press. It has to happen because a player thinks that is the right thing to do. It is inconceivable that there are no gay players in the premier league. It is even more inconceivable that there are none in the other three divisions. Many players must know that they have at least one gay team-mate and many gay players must surely know about others at other clubs. Therefore, it may need one of two things. Either a player comes out with a number of team-mates saying something along the lines of "Of course I knew, but so what?" or a group of players from a number of different teams coming out collectively.
February 2, 20196 yr BUMP When do you think this will happen? I still think we're ages away from a current Premier League footballer coming out. Football fans have no mercy, I mean look at all of the racism stuff that's happened this year. It's only a few in the minority, but this is what makes the news. Rightly so, I suspect players are advised not to do so. There have long been rumours about certain players - I supect once a couple retire they will probably 'come out'. But I'd be shocked if something happened in isolation, I think it would require several at once to come out.
May 16, 20223 yr Not sure if this deserves a new thread but what a brave teenager coming out as gay in professional football https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/05/16/jake-...ball-blackpool/ Hoping Jake Daniels won't be subject to horrible abuse :)
May 16, 20223 yr Author I hope and trust things will be better for Jake Daniels than they were for Justin (RIP)
May 16, 20223 yr Great news - and I think despite my reservations that things are going bad for LGBT people in the UK generally he'll be ok. Fact he did it at age 17 shows intense bravery.
May 16, 20223 yr The interview was remarkable. He seemed slightly nervous but also had a quiet confidence about him I want him to have a successful career, but more than anything I want him to have a happy career. What happened to Justin Fashanu should not happen again Interestingly, a lot of social media related to it has had its comments switched off/restricted. I assume that has been done deliberately to allow his coming out to run smoother. I don’t mind going to watch football matches, but one thing I really hate is the offensive/childish/pathetic chants. I really hope this doesn’t happen to Jake but I fear it will only be a matter of time. Saying that he pretty much said he wouldn’t be phased by it
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