- Homosexuality in English football
Homosexuality in English football is sometimes said to be a
taboo subject by both players and the media. [http://www.overtimeonline.co.uk/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=26 OverTimeOnline.co.uk ] ] [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article730312.ece Boys being boys in the dressing-room helps to keep homosexuality in football's closet | Football - Times Online ] ] As of 2008, there are no openlygay footballers in England's top four divisions. Some have argued that clubs prevent players from “coming out ” as increasingly footballers have a market value which may be damaged. From 2008,homophobic chanting at football grounds has been outlawed.Tottenham Hotspur have a system in place to allow fans to report any anti-gay chanting andManchester City are the first premership club to have been recognised bypressure group Stonewall as a gay-friendly employer. [ [http://www.timeout.com/london/gay/features/1953/2.html Homosexuality & football ] ]Homophobia
*A
Hull City supporter was convicted for homophobic chants made against Brighton fans. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4427718.stm BBC NEWS | Magazine | Why are there no openly gay footballers? ] ]
*Graham Le Saux endured homophobic taunts despite having a baby daughter. The rumours allegedly began because of his “unladdish hobbies” which included antique collecting . [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/289853.stm BBC News | FA Carling Premiership | Anger over gay taunts ] ]
*Justin Fashanu , the first black £1m footballer, was the first footballer to openly admit that he was gay. He later committed suicide He had described by his manager as a “bloody poof”.
*"The News of the World ", claimed that two Premiership footballers were involved in a gay orgy with a figure in the Music industry. Ashley Cole brought legal action because of the untruthful story. [ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/sport.html?in_article_id=378786&in_page_id=1771 Cole to sue over gay footballer orgy claims | Mail Online ] ]2005 Summit
In 2005 the Football Association held a summit aimed at tackling homophobia in football. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4426278.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Is homophobia in football still a taboo? ] ]
In that same year when the BBC asked all of the 20 Premiership managers their opinions on the issue as part of an investigation all 20 refused.
References
External links
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/apr/15/sport.comment2 David James’ column in The Guardian]
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