UK Football Association Must Do More For Players To Be Safe Coming Out
Stonewall says the authorities must work to create an environment where a gay player feels able to come out
Gay rights campaigners are urging the UK’s Football Association to get tough on anti-gay hate in the sport.
Stonewall is working with the FA on initiatives to tackle the issue, but they say it is up to the authorities to create an environment in which players are not fearful about the consequences of coming out.
‘Anti-gay abuse is all too common on both terraces and pitches. This abuse almost always goes unchallenged,' Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said.
‘Fans believe that it is this abuse, from fans, players and teammates that deters gay people from playing football.'
Stonewall conducted a YouGov survey with more than 2000 fans and people working football, and came to the conclusion authorities need to robustly tackle the anti-gay abuse that creates what they call a ‘culture of fear where gay players feel it is unsafe to come out.’
Summerskill said: ‘The research also demonstrates that many others – including women supporters and those with families – are deterred from attending games by the presence of gay abuse.’
In a recent blog, he said young gay people need a 'hero' to look up to, urging for a top-level footballer to come out.
His comments come after homophobia was named the 'biggest problem in football' by the UK government.
Football player Clarke Carlisle, chair of the UK Professional Footballer’s Association, promised if a gay player did come out they would receive the full support from the union.
While he insisted he would never ‘out’ a player, he said in talks with eight gay closeted players, he said one may be ready to come out soon.
Carlisle said: ‘The only point of reference for any of the players who are considering this is Justin Fashanu - and his story is a tragedy.’
Justin Fashanu was the first, and only, English footballer to come out in 1990. Eight years later, he committed suicide.
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