GAY FOOTBALLERS - IS IT TIME TO COME OUT?

It is a sensitive question, especially in the ‘macho’ world of football, but is now the time for a professional footballer to admit he is gay, or would it just be opening up a whole new can of worms?

It is often stated that approximately ten per cent of the population are gay. If that is the case there are definitely some gay footballers playing in our leagues in Britain and around the world.

The recent admission by Welsh Rugby star Gareth Thomas has been received warmly and without much fuss in the egg shaped ball game. But the culture and environment within that game is very different to football.

It appears to be a far more accepting pastime and perhaps (a controversial statement) the personnel involved in the game are more educated. The game certainly appears to have a more mature fan base.

Rugby Union is mainly perceived to be a middle to upper class sport (although ironically probably not in Wales. Therefore, homosexuality will probably be more freely accepted into it.

For instance, you only have to watch a Rugby match to see the respect the players and fans have for the officials. People appear to solely care about winning the game and not much else.


Football however, is the traditional ‘working man’s’ sport and perhaps still has some way to go before an openly gay individual can be accepted at the top level.

There will be people reading this who believe that this should not even be an issue, but the fact is, in football, it is.

There are several reasons for and against footballers coming out. Although I am skeptical both ways (no pun intended) it does appear that there are more viable reasons for a player admitting his sexuality than not.

Like many issues in football, if one player breaks the ice, then many more are bound to follow suit. A snowball effect occurs in the same way it did with black players in the 1980s. The more black players that were playing, the less of an issue it became.

Sheer numbers will gradually drown out the cries of the ignorant -so called fans, and their prejudice will eventually become more tedious and less pronounced.


What is true is that the first player may at first, have to deal with some horrendous abuse - which no individual should have to suffer.

But if it changes the football fraternity in the long term then that first person becomes a pioneer and a true hero to so many people. It will surely be worth it, for both the individual and the game as a whole.

The players who do make the admissions will also help to encourage gay youngsters to play the game, when previously they may have felt afraid to enter such a ‘macho’ world.

I would imagine that many skilful footballers are not being discovered because they are homosexual and too shy to express themselves for the fear of being teased by their peers, it is human nature.

Last season at Fratton Park, when Sol Campbell was (for no apparent reason) subjected to ‘gay jibes’ was horrifying. It was perhaps a sign that the world of football, in the Premiership anyway, is not ready for the bombshell of a top footballer admitting he is gay.

But it has to be noted that it was just a small section of ‘idiots’ and most people would in all probability, not care at all.

If the FA and Premier League want to encourage freedom of expression in football, then laws should be implemented that strictly forbid homophobic chants, just as anti-racism jibes are severely punished.

But this too would be a grey area. It may have the unfortunate affect of destroying a unique aspect of English football – the atmosphere. Perhaps supporters would be caught in a conundrum about what they can and can’t say at football matches. Without the banter, football would just not be the same.


On the other hand, is it really necessary for a gay footballer to admit he is gay anyway?

And is it really worth all the hassle and publicity?

It is true that the player may become an icon, but most importantly any abuse could affect their professional performance If that is the case, they would be given even more criticism from all corners of the media, and not just from within the crowd. Of course, it may also spur them on, but this still doesn't make it right.

Straight footballers are not expected to tell the world that they are heterosexual, so why should gay footballers have to say that they are homosexual? Is that not discrimination as well? It should be up to the individual if they feel comfortable with it.

In ten years (hopefully) this debate may not even be a talking point, if only someone could start the ball rolling.


In so many instances, society has moved on, in everything it seems, but football.

The armed forces, for example, have openly gay men and women representing our country. And despite some initial issues, it seems to have run relatively smoothly since the laws were changed in the year 2000. It could be said that is the most 'macho' of all environments, so why should football be any different?

Also in the UK, the church accepts gay priests and bishops, so why shouldn’t our other ‘religion’ accept gay players. Surely football can be just as accepting as the Church of England.

Thirty or fourty years ago it was still relatively taboo in show business to admit your sexuality. It was plainly obvious to people watching them that many stars were gay or bi-sexual, but they couldn’t admit to it publically. It drove some to despair and highly publicised battles with alcohol, drugs or depression.

If this is the case, surely it is better for the person just to admit they are gay, for their own sake. Nobody deserves to have to fight such demons. Surely a little public embarrassment is a far better option.


I just hope that football can surprise us all and the issue can pass with minimum fuss. Now that a Rugby player has come out, then it is to be expected that some time or another football will follow suit.

Although not really publicised - which can only be a good thing, there have been encouraging signs previously.

Elton John, one of Britain’s most famously openly gay superstars, is a huge football fan. The musician was the long time chairman of Watford and is still a regular at many games as he still owns a stake in the club.

Does he get gay jibes from the crowd? I am not aware of any and cerainly not on any sort of large scale.


In Europe, in places such as Spain and Italy, there are still huge problems concerning racism in football. I would suggest that in very traditional catholic countries such as Italy the game may also struggle to deal with openly gay footballers as well.

In England though, racism has been severely and successfully dealt with through massive campaigning. It is still not perfect, but it is the best around and something to be proud of.

English football deserves to be identifed as the pioneer of clamping down on this prejudice and hopefully in the future the defeat of homophobic jibes in football can also be credited to our country.

Some of you may be thinking, what about the players in the dressing room? But I believe, minus a little banter here and there, it will not be a big issue. It is the crowds that concern me

The million dollar question is, do the majority of fans really care? I certainly don’t think so. Homosexuality has been accepted into society, so why not – in time – can this not be transmitted into our football stadia.


Some supporters will probably suggest that top footballers are paid enough money to justify taking any sort of abuse labeled at them.

I don't adhere to this, but until one brave gentleman takes the big step of opening up to the world, we will never know how much or how little reaction there will be.