MisterZhifei
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Gay footballers would be accepted - Gareth Southgate
Former England international Gareth Southgate says players would accept a gay team-mate in the dressing room.
But Southgate claims some fans would not be so tolerant towards homosexual players open about their sexuality.
Despite a number of high-profile male and female athletes choosing to go public with their sexuality in recent years, the only footballer to come out as a homosexual since the late Justin Fashanu in 1990 is Anton Hysen, a Swedish lower league player.
"It will take someone who is brave enough to be open and honest," added former Middlesbrough manager Southgate in an interview with BBC's Richard Conway at a charity event for the England Footballers Foundation, which was set up in 2007 with players donating their England match fees to good causes.
"We can't control the reaction of all supporters, so unfortunately there will always be a adverse reaction to parts of society. But the honest answer is that we don't know until somebody steps forward."
Earlier this week, Lindegaard wrote in a blog that the nature of supporters on the terraces does little to encourage homosexual players to be open about their sexuality.
"As a footballer, I think a homosexual colleague would be afraid of the reception he could get from the fans, but my impression is that the players would not have a problem accepting a homosexual.
"While the rest of the world has been more liberal, civilised and less prejudiced, the world of football remains stuck in the past when it comes to tolerance."
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Thoughts?
I think it is ridiculous how football is still so homophobic in a world when people are now coming to grips with gays and bisexuals, especially since football attracts a widespread audience who all differ in race, religion, sexuality, age, etc. It is just ridiculous, to be honest; but to be fair, it's hard to do anything about it!
Former England international Gareth Southgate says players would accept a gay team-mate in the dressing room.
But Southgate claims some fans would not be so tolerant towards homosexual players open about their sexuality.
Despite a number of high-profile male and female athletes choosing to go public with their sexuality in recent years, the only footballer to come out as a homosexual since the late Justin Fashanu in 1990 is Anton Hysen, a Swedish lower league player.
"It will take someone who is brave enough to be open and honest," added former Middlesbrough manager Southgate in an interview with BBC's Richard Conway at a charity event for the England Footballers Foundation, which was set up in 2007 with players donating their England match fees to good causes.
"We can't control the reaction of all supporters, so unfortunately there will always be a adverse reaction to parts of society. But the honest answer is that we don't know until somebody steps forward."
Earlier this week, Lindegaard wrote in a blog that the nature of supporters on the terraces does little to encourage homosexual players to be open about their sexuality.
"As a footballer, I think a homosexual colleague would be afraid of the reception he could get from the fans, but my impression is that the players would not have a problem accepting a homosexual.
"While the rest of the world has been more liberal, civilised and less prejudiced, the world of football remains stuck in the past when it comes to tolerance."
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I think it is ridiculous how football is still so homophobic in a world when people are now coming to grips with gays and bisexuals, especially since football attracts a widespread audience who all differ in race, religion, sexuality, age, etc. It is just ridiculous, to be honest; but to be fair, it's hard to do anything about it!
