A player today

[the vicar]

Has said he is gay but is afraid to come out in fear for his job, if he does will he get persecuted or will it mean nothing to anyone, it does not bother me in the slightest  what do you all think

[Hounslowrover]

It's about time someone was able to come out and receive support, or in fact no fuss, rather than the abuse.  When you think of the abuse black players had to endure for years, it's no surprise it's not happened yet, but attitudes change and if the authorities clamp down, it will change.

[the vicar]

Yes it only takes one to come out then they will all follow bit I bet most have not even come out to there straight Mate's yet till they can do that they can't make it public

[DonnyOsmond]

Football is different to most jobs which is the issue. You get a lot of old school mentality. Personally I'm fine with it, if one of our players is gay that's fine with me and really it's none of our business what they do in their spare time.

[DearneValleyRover]

Everyone should be treated equally, it starts at home and through education by removing prejudice and although we are more enlightened these days there is still along way to go.

[phil old leake]

It would be great if players could come out I feel that it needs a global superstar like Messi or Ronaldo to come out. Someone who a team couldn’t afford to bench.
They are just 2 names that jump to mind.  Anyone  that is irreplaceable.  It will take a brave person to do it. I wouldn’t envy them. 
Let’s hope it happens soon and others follow and then as a sport we an put all this nonsense behind us and move on

[boro_rover]

One of the biggest factors is for some reason the sporting community and media feel they need some sort of poster boy/girl, who is prepared to put there selves on a pedestal.

I mean really who gives a shit? They just want to be treat normally and left alone. If I was gay and a sportsman I wouldn’t want to be championed as some kind of brave hero for being open about my sexuality. I would rather just be left to get in with my life. The first stars in sport who come out are going to receive more media attention than before and it wouldn’t be worth the grief in my opinion.

[mrgazum]

Strong rumours it may be Akinfenwa!!

[Drover]

Strong rumours it may be Akinfenwa!!

Bet you daren't ask him!

[keith79]

Who cares. People should be with whoever makes them happy.

[DonnyOsmond]

Who cares. People should be with whoever makes them happy.

You make me happy, Keith

[TheDonnyPop]

Having read the article about this guy in the Sun, the guy in question is an idiot of the highest order.

Whether straight/bi/gay he still has been sleeping around whilst having a wife and kid.
Wonder if they know about this?

As the article states, the guy has a reputation of a womaniser... Maybe it is a certain Scouse, who recently returned to his hometown club and now linked with a move to the US.


But in all seriousness, the first coming out should have a domino effect. But with the football fans are, the stick from the crowd would of course follow.

Whilst racism only remains in small minority. I was stood at the New York Stadium whilst fellow fans wherr shouting PEDO all for 90 minutes.

[drfchound]

One of the biggest factors is for some reason the sporting community and media feel they need some sort of poster boy/girl, who is prepared to put there selves on a pedestal.

I mean really who gives a shit? They just want to be treat normally and left alone. If I was gay and a sportsman I wouldn’t want to be championed as some kind of brave hero for being open about my sexuality. I would rather just be left to get in with my life. The first stars in sport who come out are going to receive more media attention than before and it wouldn’t be worth the grief in my opinion.

Tom Daly (the diver) is a sports star who has announced that he is gay.
He doesn’t seem to get any extra media coverage because of that.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

One of the biggest factors is for some reason the sporting community and media feel they need some sort of poster boy/girl, who is prepared to put there selves on a pedestal.

I mean really who gives a shit? They just want to be treat normally and left alone. If I was gay and a sportsman I wouldn’t want to be championed as some kind of brave hero for being open about my sexuality. I would rather just be left to get in with my life. The first stars in sport who come out are going to receive more media attention than before and it wouldn’t be worth the grief in my opinion.

Tom Daly (the diver) is a sports star who has announced that he is gay.
He doesn’t seem to get any extra media coverage because of that.

It may have been because it didn't come as a surprise to many with how he spoke etc.

With footballers at the minute if one did come out as Gay I wouldn't be able to give any reaction apart from
"I'd have never of thought it was him!"

As stated previously it's not worth the hassle etc for the individual who does come out as Gay.

[GazLaz]

If a footballer came out as gay he would be applauded by many but there would be a small minority that would give dogs abuse. They think it may hinder their career as well which it probably would.

[roversontheup]

Part of the difficulty in football is that many supporters will have a pop at opposing players for anything. If there’s nothing they make it up. On the terraces references to being gay are used all the time as an insult. It will take a very brave player to come out at present. Much as they probably want to it’s so much easier not to.

So much easier for us women!

[the vicar]

One of the biggest factors is for some reason the sporting community and media feel they need some sort of poster boy/girl, who is prepared to put there selves on a pedestal.

I mean really who gives a shit? They just want to be treat normally and left alone. If I was gay and a sportsman I wouldn’t want to be championed as some kind of brave hero for being open about my sexuality. I would rather just be left to get in with my life. The first stars in sport who come out are going to receive more media attention than before and it wouldn’t be worth the grief in my opinion.

Tom Daly (the diver) is a sports star who has announced that he is gay.
He doesn’t seem to get any extra media coverage because of that.

what about as far back as Navratilova she came out as lesbian in the 80s

[Chris Black come back]

What a load of crap.

[Jimmydee]

TheDonnyPop, as a football supporter, I’m more upset that you admitted to reading the Sun, than hearing of a gay footballer.
There’s families from Liverpool that won’t forgive you for reading that rag.

[Draytonian III]

Some more words of wisdom from the “ man in the know “ . Think before you post such strange comments

[RoversAlias]

It's just baseless nonsense that, isn't it.

[Ldr]

TheDonnyPop, as a football supporter, I’m more upset that you admitted to reading the Sun, than hearing of a gay footballer.
There’s families from Liverpool that won’t forgive you for reading that rag.

I'm sure he won't give a shit want families from Liverpool think of him

[phil old leake]

Being very cynical if a player came out he could probably make himself a fortune from everything around it.  Don’t get me wrong that’s not a reason to come out.  The sooner it happens the better for football.  Genuinely who would give a fxxx

[Jimmydee]

That’s not nice, No, I don’t subscribe to Sky. I’m sure that I’m not the Jimmy that you have written, what’s the Rovers losing got to do with it?

[TheDonnyPop]

Wrong Jim.... I was thinking of DonnyJim

[wing commander]

   The issue is football seems to bring out the Neanderthal in people.For 90 minutes players are treated as fair game..They get abuse for having long hair,looking a bit overweight,having ginger hair etc etc...Other sports it doesn't seem to have the same effect even in Rugby,but sadly if that player scores a last minute goal,or goes down injured you can bet your bottom dollar he will get abuse for being Gay..
    The FA needs to start treating it on the same equivalent as racism but like anything else it will take a few players to do it and maybe take some abuse before it's then tackled and wiped out..And nobody wants to be first..
    As every generation comes along sexuality becomes less and less of a issue,going back 30 years when I was a teenager it was unacceptable and gay people were victimised in every walk of life not just football..Thankfully attitudes have changed but for footballers there is a way to go yet...

[RedJ]

What a load of b*llocks. I refuse to believe you were a teenager only 30 years ago.

[MachoMadness]

Statistically there must be more than a few gay footballers. I can imagine why you wouldn't come out. In this country you'd probably get a bit of abuse from a vocal minority at games which would fade away if the FA clamped down on it. I'm sure when that first bloke does come out though, the thought that it'll all be better in a few years won't be much comfort when you're picked out for abuse by some shithead Millwall fans.

However it's not just this country players have to worry about. Imagine an openly gay player playing at the World Cup in Russia? You'd legitimately fear for your safety. I can see why no one has yet, at least not before they retire.

[RedJ]

Robbie Rogers did come out, then retired almost immediately and went back to the USA. He resumed his career at LA Galaxy for a little while after this though.

[MachoMadness]

I knew he'd come out but didn't know he'd carried on playing tbf. Good on him.