Homophobia in Football

**DannyInvincible** · 19/12/2014, 9:33 PM

The source of Liverpool's recent woes explained at last...: http://balls.ie/football/unusual-exp...ools-woes-yet/

Originally Posted by Balls.ie

In response, Paul Annan, the Liverpool Supporters Club LGBT representative points out that Liverpool did not sponsor the parade but has marched in it in the past three years. He said that ‘the club has got a proud record of tackling discrimination and fighting inequality and has done some fantastic work.’

Rimmer is a big fan of the Bible and insists that it’s not his opinion that Liverpool are cursed, but the Bible is pretty clear. Brendan Rodgers and his boys are doomed.

...

Rimmer was arrested two years ago for tussling with police officers over their decision to fly a rainbow flag over the local police station. He intends to run for Mayor of Liverpool in 2016, his second run. Last time out, he earned 60 votes.

**Eminence Grise** · 22/12/2014, 10:43 AM

That gent's surname is proof that God has a sense of humour!

**DannyInvincible** · 23/02/2015, 12:05 AM

Just spotted this earlier this evening; Robbie Rogers was interviewed by Stephen Sackur for the BBC's HARDtalk a while back: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ers-footballer

Originally Posted by BBC

Stephen Sackur speaks to Robbie Rogers, a US international footballer who plays for LA Galaxy. He broke the sport's great taboo by very publicly coming out after a spell in English football. But why haven't other gay footballers followed his lead?

**BonnieShels** · 23/02/2015, 11:04 AM

"But why haven't other gay footballers followed his lead?"

Because they very simply haven't seen fit to do so. Coming out is more than the process of telling some you are gay or bi. There is a whole lead up to it that goes unseen.

Robbie Rogers, Tom Daley and Michael Sams are trailblazers. But there isn't ever going to a be a glut of men or women coming out in sports. There is no release valve.

Rogers, Daley and Sams have made it easier, no question, but the anticipation of more and more coming out will remain just that.

**DannyInvincible** · 23/02/2015, 12:39 PM

Rogers makes an interesting comment that he's had contact from "closeted" athletes involved in other sports, including basketball players and American footballers (of the NFL-variety), offering support/seeking advice, but he hasn't had one footballer (of the soccer-variety) get in touch.

**Spudulika** · 24/02/2015, 12:16 PM

It's all about money and contracts. When their careers are over (for most) they will come out. It makes little financial sense to do so beforehand. Most people will know they will be accepted within their teams, even by management, and fans will get over themselves (although in soccer it would be worrying), but as many have not even come out to their families or friends, or maybe are not sure of themselves, it will take time.

In tennis it is known who is and isn't (heavily in the women's game), but apart from bitchy comments, nobody speaks about it.

**geysir** · 26/02/2015, 8:27 PM

Originally Posted by Spudulika

It's all about money and contracts. When their careers are over (for most) they will come out. It makes little financial sense to do so beforehand. Most people will know they will be accepted within their teams, even by management, and fans will get over themselves (although in soccer it would be worrying), but as many have not even come out to their families or friends, or maybe are not sure of themselves, it will take time.

In tennis it is known who is and isn't (heavily in the women's game), but apart from bitchy comments, nobody speaks about it.

And you know all this to be true, based on what?
It reads like a cr�ck of nonsense to me.

**DannyInvincible** · 26/02/2015, 9:56 PM

Originally Posted by Spudulika

It's all about money and contracts. When their careers are over (for most) they will come out. It makes little financial sense to do so beforehand. Most people will know they will be accepted within their teams, even by management, and fans will get over themselves (although in soccer it would be worrying), but as many have not even come out to their families or friends, or maybe are not sure of themselves, it will take time.

If most people would accept homosexuals in sport/football, why would it make little financial sense? If it was the case that homosexuals were accepted and nobody cared about sexuality in sport, it shouldn't make any financial difference whether they "came out" or not. What would there be to fear from "coming out" if nobody cared?

Doesn't the fact that potential income (or employability) would be affected negatively by "coming out" indicate at least a passive or casual form of homophobia that permeates modern sport and particularly football? And that's not to even consider the more explicit and overt hatred and bigotry that you'll get from some elements in the stands.

What are you referring to exactly when you say "it would be worrying" in football? Football players "coming out" would be worrying or it would be worrying to see fans accept homosexual footballers, or something else surely?