Homophobic behaviour in Football
Homophobia in football has sometimes been referred to as the games ‘last taboo’; it has always been around and yet people have been reluctant to take action or notice.
The lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall began to work on football in 2009 after they published a YouGov poll, which found that seven in ten football fans present at a match had heard or witnessed homophobic behaviour in the terraces, and over half believed the FA were not doing enough to tackle the problem.
Thomas Hitzlsperger became the highest profile gay footballer, revealing his sexuality after retiring from his playing career. Hitzlsperger played for Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton in the Barclays Premier League and has said "In England, Germany or Italy, homosexuality is not taken seriously as an issue, at least not in the dressing room", a reason he chose not to come out whilst still playing in England.
The lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall began to work on football in 2009 after they published a YouGov poll, which found that seven in ten football fans present at a match had heard or witnessed homophobic behaviour in the terraces, and over half believed the FA were not doing enough to tackle the problem.
Thomas Hitzlsperger became the highest profile gay footballer, revealing his sexuality after retiring from his playing career. Hitzlsperger played for Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton in the Barclays Premier League and has said "In England, Germany or Italy, homosexuality is not taken seriously as an issue, at least not in the dressing room", a reason he chose not to come out whilst still playing in England.
In the above video package Ethics in Football investigates homophobia in football & talking to Ray Wilkins. Property of Thomas Westcott.
In 1998, Justin Fashanu committed suicide and he is still the only English professional footballer to come out as gay whilst still actively playing football. A campaign to raise awareness of Justin’s life and the ongoing matter of homophobic behaviour in football was launched in 2008, named ‘The Justin Campaign.’
Is it surprising that we are yet to have another top-flight professional footballer come out as gay whilst playing the game? CEO of Brentford FC, Mark Devlin, tells us more:
“I think it’s socially more acceptable, now we have just seen the example of Tom Daley, personally I didn’t think it was huge news, so what someone comes out and says they are gay? Big deal, let’s move on. But I suppose for someone who is highly regarded in sport it was a major statement to say what he said.
“I think it’ll be a few years yet before we see players feeling that they can say it because it’s seen as a weakness and they will be derided whilst playing football.”
Is it surprising that we are yet to have another top-flight professional footballer come out as gay whilst playing the game? CEO of Brentford FC, Mark Devlin, tells us more:
“I think it’s socially more acceptable, now we have just seen the example of Tom Daley, personally I didn’t think it was huge news, so what someone comes out and says they are gay? Big deal, let’s move on. But I suppose for someone who is highly regarded in sport it was a major statement to say what he said.
“I think it’ll be a few years yet before we see players feeling that they can say it because it’s seen as a weakness and they will be derided whilst playing football.”