Gay and Bisexual footballers

-Rob- · July 9, 2019

I just caught the last 5 or 10 minutes of a discussion on Talksport with Jim White about a top level footballer that has apparently come out as gay or bisexual. No names were mentioned but it sounds like it could become public soon if it hasn't already.

I'm just wondering, how accepting do you think football fans in general would be of openly gay or bisexual players? Obviously players get abuse from rival fans for the most trivial of things. Personally I think this would make it a lot harder for them. It shouldn't, but it more than likely will.

ijjysmith · July 9, 2019

It shouldn’t even be a question should it really?

I mean I know it is a question. But it shouldn’t be.

chrismpw · July 9, 2019

Tricky one. Here in the uk and Europe it shouldn't be an issue. It probably will be, but it shouldn't. It's easy to think the rest of the world is as permissive as Europe is though. When the BBC* is going to fall over itself to represent gays to such a level it appears that being straight is peculiar, it's easy to lose sight that there are plenty of other cultures that wouldn't be as accepting.

In a global sport coming out could start limiting where those players might consider being able to play. I can understand them keeping quiet.

It's amazing that on the surface Football is the only sport without gays, corrupt officials or drugs cheats!

* obvious I was going to have a moan about this formerly brilliant institution.

Nymzee · July 9, 2019

It would only have been an issue in the dark ages. No one will care now. That Robbie Rodgers or whatever he was called didn’t get abuse did he.

tommye · July 9, 2019

Arsed?

Not a jot. Not interested where, what or who a player sticks his bits in.

jaycee · July 9, 2019

You will still get people giving stick out,probably for the 1st season,then it will stop,whoever it is will become an icon in the game and rake in massive sponsorship and good for them

wba83 · July 9, 2019

Any type of normal person will live and let live .He will most proberly get abuse off some hairy backed scruff in a vest . Good luck to the player and I hope he scores the winner against hairy backs team

degsy · July 9, 2019

Who cares.
Can he play, is he any good, will he sign for us etc. This is what should concern us.

Walken · July 9, 2019

participation and acceptance are usually followed by representation, good luck to them

blue61 · July 9, 2019

Such is the general acceptance of homosexuality in society these days, I would imagine any individual hurling abuse would be most likely piped down. Different across eastern europe though.

Ring master · July 9, 2019

Probably this person [player] if its genuine when he says before season starts if he does,or is he going to disappear
For the record i think it would be Good and i dont see the problem,if hes happy who cares,Real footy fans wont care at all
But we have had story's in papers about this were they were going to name a player,but player must have got Injuction to stop it

zzr45 · July 9, 2019

I don’t care if anyone’s gay but I don’t want it ramming down my throat.

BlueToff · July 9, 2019

Good on the footballer in question - whoever it is - but simultaneously the twitter account he's created to me seems a bit OTT.

'The gay footballer' and he's going to reveal his identity soon. Dunno, it seems sad to me that we have to have someone do that, or that someone feels that's the best way to come out.

I honestly couldn't care less what their sexuality is. I'm sure most people don't either.

BlueToff · July 9, 2019

Ring master said:
Probably this person [player] if its genuine when he says before season starts if he does,or is he going to disappear
For the record i think it would be Good and i dont see the problem,if hes happy who cares,Real footy fans wont care at all

You see, calling a press conference to come out as me seems just part of the problem.

It's sad that the guy seemingly felt like his spot in the team would be under threat because he's gay, but in all honesty does that seem right? What kind of monsters would have to be in charge of a club for that to happen?

The guy is gay. So what? Like it genuinely doesn't matter.