Homosexuality: Football’s Taboo

The point that other countries may not be so forgiving – which is a ridiculous word to use as a homosexual should not need to be forgiven for anything – is no more evident than in the case of Eudy Simelane. One of South Africa’s most famous female footballers, she was a lesbian who publicly campaigned for equal rights for homosexuals. She was subjected to ‘corrective rape’ – trying to ‘cure’ lesbians of their sexual orientation – by a gang, beaten and stabbed 25 times.

She was just 31 years old. A horrific ending to the life of a gifted female footballer, and yet little was done. FIFA haven’t helped the situation with their seemingly light hearted approach to the matter of sexual orientation: when asked about gay fans travelling to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, where homosexuality is illegal, FIFA President Sepp Blatter joked, : ‘I’d say they (gay fans) should refrain from any sexual activities’. Not what you’d expect from the leading face of world football when seeking help.

While the Simelane story is indeed extreme, it is not an isolated case with coming out being a bad decision. Marcus Urban and Thomas Berling are just a couple of the only footballers to come out during their careers, with both deteriorating soon after their announcements. But perhaps the most famous case is that of Justin Fashanu. Fashanu is the only professional footballer in history to come out while he was still in the midst of his playing career, but was faced with a fierce public backlash. Disowned by his family and more clubs than years after coming out, Fashanu committed suicide following a sexual assault allegation, aged just 37. In his suicide note, he wrote:  ‘I do not want to give any more embarrassment to my friends and family’. The negative response he had received from his coming out led a talented footballer to take his own life.

It is Justin Fashanu’s tragic story which is widely regarded as the main fear for other players who are too scared to come out. While we hear of these other stories, none have been at the same level, and in the same media spotlight, as Justin. With technology rocketing social media and celebrities lives constantly under the spotlight, a Premier League player coming out would become a huge – and easily accessible – target. As we saw in the aftermath of Fabrice Muamba’s on pitch cardiac arrest in March 2012, football is not important when it comes to a matter of life and death; and that is what players may begin dealing with should they come out.

Although they are relatively low key players, Anton Hysén and David Testo have both proved that being gay doesn’t need to have an effect on their playing careers, having been supported and treated purely upon their footballing skills. And there are other reasons to be positive for homosexual footballers. John Amaechi, a former NBA star, is one of the most high profile sportsmen to come out following their retirement where, no longer being in the constant media spotlight as a current player, he has had success with little to no difficulty.

But perhaps most significantly of all, former Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas became the first openly gay professional rugby player when he came out in December 2009 while still playing for Cardiff Blues. Although it was at the end of his career, it was indeed a magnificent step forward for homosexuals within sport; a highly celebrated sportsman, who played 100 times for Wales, was applauded for his bravery at coming out. And he admitted his surprise at being so well accepted, with the truth beginning to come out 3 years prior to several teammates. It shouldn’t need to be a surprise, but Thomas ‘felt everyone was protecting me’ – it hadn’t affected how anyone treated him. And this has surely set the benchmark at how people will react in a world in where attitudes are indeed changing and improving all the time.

To prove that this attitude will be there in football is to point to the England ladies national team – head coach Hope Powell, who became the first women to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence after a career in which she won 66 caps herself, is openly a lesbian. A homosexual in a position of such power within English football; surely that shows that sexual orientation is not an issue that will be demeaning to a player’s career? And with the PFA promising full support to any players ready to come out, homosexuals, albeit with justifiable concern, have the opportunity to allay their fears and no longer feel the need to hide their sexual orientation.

It is 2012, and this evolving game in an ever changing world is ready to accept homosexuals for who they are. Of course, whoever takes that first leap of faith may put themselves in the firing line; purely positive reactions cannot be guaranteed. But with the support they will receive, and the inevitable domino effect that this can have, gay players have the opportunity to finally come out and play in the modern game comfortably. As Gareth Thomas said at the time of his coming out: ‘I don’t want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost. I am a man’. This is a mantra that should not be forgotten.

**For more information on what football is doing to combat anti-homosexual views, the English FA have set up an action plan called ‘Opening Doors and Joining in’; which is available for PDF download here: http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/WhatWeDo/Equality/Homophobia.

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