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At the end of teh ady Im sure a lot of footballers are gay, statisticly I mean. Honestly their personal lives means nothing to me as long as they can play the beautiful game I couldnt care less.
Ronaldo has been accused to be gay, Le Saux and O She as Forrest mentioned
I suppose though a lot of team mates might feel uncortable if they are using team baths/showers. Saunas but still it shouldnt make a differece
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Actually if mempry serves me right I believe that Sol Campbell was accused of being gay too
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From Wikipedia
Homosexuality in English football
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Main article: Homosexuality in association football
Homosexuality in English football is sometimes said to be a taboo subject by both players and the media.[1][2] As of 2010, there are no openly gay footballers in England's top four divisions. Some, such as Peter Clayton, who chairs the FA's "Homophobia in Football" working group have argued that clubs prevent players from “coming out” as footballers have an increasing commercial market value which may be damaged.[3]
England has been largely liberal in its attitudes to homosexuality since it was legalized in 1967. There are many openly gay politicians and entertainers who remained elected and popular with little or no criticism or comment on their sexuality. However football has always been distinctly lacking in openly homosexual men.[4] Despite this, or perhaps because of this, rumours in the press, 'banter' between fans and players and even hostile homophobic abuse have been common within the game.
In 2008, one ex-Premiership footballer estimated that at least a dozen Premiership footballers were homosexual but were afraid to "come out" due to a perception that they would receive a negative reaction.[5]
In a 2009 survey, most fans said they would like to see homophobia taken out of football, that the FA were not doing enough to tackle the issue and that they would be comfortable to see a player on their team come out of the closet.[6]
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Homophobia
o 1.1 Against gay players
o 1.2 Against heterosexual players
o 1.3 Against fans
o 1.4 By the press
o 1.5 By those in the game
* 2 Anti-homophobic action
o 2.1 2005 Summit
o 2.2 By clubs
o 2.3 By fans
o 2.4 By players
* 3 Women’s football
* 4 Coming out of the closet
o 4.1 Staying in
o 4.2 Coming out
* 5 References
* 6 External links
[edit] Homophobia
The tragic last few years of Fashanu's life set a chilling precedent for gay footballers considering whether to make their sexuality known.
[edit] Against gay players
Justin Fashanu, the first black £1 million footballer, was the first footballer to openly admit that he was gay. In his autobiography, Brian Clough recounts a dressing down he gave Fashanu after hearing rumours that he was going to gay bars. "'Where do you go if you want a loaf of bread?' I asked him. 'A baker's, I suppose.' 'Where do you go if you want a leg of lamb?' 'A butcher's.' 'So why do you keep going to that bloody poofs' club?"'[7] Fashanu later committed suicide[8] and it has been suggested that the tragedy and hostility that struck his life after publicly coming out persuaded other gay footballers that coming out would not be a good idea. The coroner said the prejudices he experienced, plus the sexual assault charge he was facing at the time of his death, probably overwhelmed him.[9]
[edit] Against heterosexual players
Graeme Le Saux endured homophobic taunts despite fathering a child. The rumours allegedly began because of his “unladdish hobbies” which included antique collecting,[8] reading The Guardian and his university background. He later admitted he had considered quitting the game because of the abuse and the humiliation he felt. One example of the public abuse he suffered came in a Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool on 27 February 1999, Le Saux became involved in a running series of taunts with Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler. With Le Saux preparing to take a free kick, Fowler repeatedly bent over and pointed his backside in the Chelsea player's direction. Despite the obvious taunts, Le Saux, who refused to take the free kick, was booked for delay of play.[10]
In 2008, Sol Campbell received homophobic abuse from Spurs fans while playing for Portsmouth.[11] Like Le Saux, there was no evidence that Campbell was a homosexual. In 2009 Campbell became engaged to interior designer Fiona Barratt.[12] Sol Campbell's brother was jailed for 12 months after assaulting a classmate who suggested that the defender was gay.[13] In 2009 a man and a boy were found guilty of shouting homophobic chants at Campbell in a match between Portsmouth and Spurs.[14]
Matthew Upson has also been targeted by both Birmingham City and Aston Villa fans for homophobic abuse while playing at West Ham United. As is the case with Graeme Le Saux, he had also fathered a child and was in a long-term relationship.
[edit] Against fans
A Hull City supporter was convicted for homophobic chants made against Brighton fans.[15] Brighton is well known for being the "the gay capital of Britain".
[edit] By the press
The News of the World claimed that two Premiership footballers were involved in a gay orgy with a figure in the music industry. Ashley Cole brought legal action because of the untruthful story.[16]
After England's exit from the 2006 World Cup, Peter Tatchell complained about the "homophobic smearing" against Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. The Sun described the player as a "nancy boy" and a "pretty boy".[17]
[edit] By those in the game
Scolari denied being homophobic, stating that "My friends include people whose sexual preference is different from my own."[18]
Ex-Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is on record as stating he would have thrown out of the team a player whom he found to be gay. He made the comments during Brazil's 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign.[19]
"I've had players over the years who were single and read books and so others [other players] said they must be gay...I think being openly gay would be something very difficult to live with in football.... You can get drunk and beat up your wife and that's quite acceptable, but if someone were to say 'I'm gay', it's considered awful. It's ridiculous."
—Former manager Alan Smith speaking on 'the last taboo in football'.[9]
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Likewise Djibril Cissé, partly in jest, said that he refused to kiss his team-mates after scoring a goal for fear of being thought of as gay.[9]
Public relations mogul Max Clifford claimed that two major clubs had approached him wishing to portray a "straight" image.[9]
In October 2006, England international Rio Ferdinand caused controversy by calling BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles a 'faggot' live on air, just days after team-mate Paul Scholes was also in trouble for an alleged homophobic remark about him being gay with a funny hair do. Moyles jokingly asked Ferdinand: "If you had to, who would you rather go out with - Smudger [Alan Smith] or Scholesy [Paul Scholes]?". Ferdinand replied: "That is not my bag that, that is not my game, talking about going out with geezers" and when Moyles suggested he would always prefer Smith, Ferdinand declared: "You’re a faggot." He quickly apologised for what he had said, stating "I'm not homophobic".[20]
In 2010 the FA aimed to shoot a video designed to discourage anti-gay hate-chants on the terraces, however they reportedly couldn't find a player from the Premier League willing to endorse it and so postponed the video.[21] Pundits believed that players were scared to associate themselves with homosexuality.[22]
[edit] Anti-homophobic action
[edit] 2005 Summit
In 2005 the Football Association held a summit aimed at tackling homophobia in football.[23]
In that same year when the BBC asked all of the twenty Premiership managers their opinions on the issue as part of an investigation all twenty refused.[23]
[edit] By clubs
From 2008, homophobic chanting at football grounds has been outlawed. Tottenham Hotspur have a system in place to allow fans to report any anti-gay chanting and Manchester City are the first Premiership club to have been recognised by pressure group Stonewall as a gay-friendly employer.[24]
In 2009, a football team was named after openly gay footballer Justin Fashanu. The Justin Fashanu All-stars is open to both homosexual and heterosexual players.[25] Stonewall FC is a similar initiative.[26]
[edit] By fans
One survey by Staffordshire University showed that more than 90% of football fans would not hold any hostility to a footballer coming out, and suggested that most fans would stand by a gay player who played for their club.[27] The survey showed that most fans expected there would be an openly gay footballer by 2015, and that this would be good for improving the attitude towards homosexuality in the sport.[28]
[edit] By players
Swedish international and former Arsenal and West Ham United midfielder Freddie Ljungberg endured questions over his sexuality "due to his bachelor lifestyle and love of musicals and fashion". Despite denying the speculation, he told the New York Times that "I don’t mind at all. I am proud of that. I love fashion, and I think so many gay people have amazing style. So that is a compliment to me."[29]
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Anti-homophobic action
[edit] 2005 Summit
In 2005 the Football Association held a summit aimed at tackling homophobia in football.[23]
In that same year when the BBC asked all of the twenty Premiership managers their opinions on the issue as part of an investigation all twenty refused.[23]
[edit] By clubs
From 2008, homophobic chanting at football grounds has been outlawed. Tottenham Hotspur have a system in place to allow fans to report any anti-gay chanting and Manchester City are the first Premiership club to have been recognised by pressure group Stonewall as a gay-friendly employer.[24]
In 2009, a football team was named after openly gay footballer Justin Fashanu. The Justin Fashanu All-stars is open to both homosexual and heterosexual players.[25] Stonewall FC is a similar initiative.[26]
[edit] By fans
One survey by Staffordshire University showed that more than 90% of football fans would not hold any hostility to a footballer coming out, and suggested that most fans would stand by a gay player who played for their club.[27] The survey showed that most fans expected there would be an openly gay footballer by 2015, and that this would be good for improving the attitude towards homosexuality in the sport.[28]
[edit] By players
Swedish international and former Arsenal and West Ham United midfielder Freddie Ljungberg endured questions over his sexuality "due to his bachelor lifestyle and love of musicals and fashion". Despite denying the speculation, he told the New York Times that "I don’t mind at all. I am proud of that. I love fashion, and I think so many gay people have amazing style. So that is a compliment to me."[29]
[edit] Women’s football
English Football Hall of Fame inductee Lily Parr was openly lesbian. This is particularly remarkable as she played in the early twentieth century and was from a working class background.
In August, 2010, England coach Hope Powell was named in 68th place on The Independent newspaper’s Pink List of influential lesbian and gay people in the UK.[30]
[edit] Coming out of the closet
Arguments have been made for and against a gay player to come out publicly.
[edit] Staying in
Figures such as Max Clifford have advised gay players to keep their sexuality a secret for the sake of their careers, saying that to be openly gay would potentially damage their playing prospects.[31] This would also apply abroad, where even if accepted in England a gay player might face a new barrier if he wished to play in a country less accepting of homosexuality. Coming out would undoubtedly bring a gay player abuse from the terraces, and perhaps elsewhere too; this would affect some players more than others.[31]
Cascarino recommends gay players keep their sexuality secret.
"It's a very sad state of affairs. But it's a fact that homophobia in football is as strong now as it was 10 years ago. If you'd asked me in 2000 whether I thought we'd have a famous, openly gay footballer by 2010 I would have said yes.
—Max Clifford says why he would and has advised gay players to stay closeted.[3]
The tragic story of Justin Fashanu's life after he publicly came out sets a worrying precedent for those considering whether to publicly announce their sexuality.[15]
"Would a player mind if he found out a team-mate was gay? Probably. Players wouldn’t want to be left alone with him, they wouldn’t want to shower with him. Before you rush to criticise, would you find it acceptable for a man to walk around a women’s dressing-room? More importantly, team-mates would be self-conscious around the player. The sexual banter would develop an uncomfortable edge if it continued. It is an undesirable scenario for a manager, since an uneasy and divided squad is not a recipe for success. A gay player himself would probably feel equally ill-at-ease. Dressing-rooms are like perverted nudist camps. Immature, wild places, little self-contained states where the normal rules of common decency and acceptable behaviour do not apply. Sexual activity and bodily functions are props players use for pranks and banter."
—Former Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino expresses a gay player's worst fears and believes that football dressing rooms are not mature enough to accept gay players.[2]
Thomas is possibly the most notable sportsman to have been openly gay.
[edit] Coming out
"You hate to see homophobia out there, and you don't want to hear it or have it in the clubs, but if there are any gay players they should just come out. That may sound heartless, and I am sure if you are gay there are all sorts of fears and worries, but I do think football can probably cope with it."
—Former Scotland and Chelsea player Pat Nevin was teased by teammates for his interest in the arts despite his heterosexuality, however Nevin was unaffected by the jibes and feels that homophobia in football is overestimated.[32]
Players in other sports, even traditionally more 'macho' sports such as rugby have come out and been accepted, most notably Gareth Thomas. Coming out proved to boost Thomas' fame and finances, as by July 2010 there was talk of film star Mickey Rourke playing the rugby star in a biopic film.[33]
Most fans would be likely to support a player for their club who was to come out.[28]
Some argue that a gay player would have a moral obligation to come out, so as to pave the way for future gay players to feel comfortable in the sport.
[edit] References
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people give out about everything these days complaining bitching u can see that right here on EI & thats by the male posters! but u gotta take this comment seriously the dreadful Blatter should just do the right thing & leave his lofty position in the cosy organisation that is FIFA Why should he care what anyone thinks as depressingly hes answerable to noone?...
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I’m a Man United supporter myself but just look at what the United fans chant at Aresne Wenger, “sit down you paedophile,” In the name of god how sick is that?
It was that bad I read that Fergie asked them in the run up to Monday nights match to stop shouting this kind of filth at the man in the match programme.
Last edited by JohnRambo; 16-12-10 at 14:35.
"Live for nothing or die for something, your call."
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Don't know how many others have seen this but I think this is a brilliantly effective video, sends out a very strong message i think:-
Jaysus, I never thought I woudl see someone defend Blatter. He is a disgusting excuse for a human being who is a parasite on the game of football.
I know what you are saying about the homophobia in football and i agree with you on that but I would never let Blatter off the hook. Surely, he should have made gay rights a precondition of the world cup going to Quatar. That would have sent out a message that everyone would have agreed with.
Originally Posted by ber
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