THE GAY FOOTBALL Supporters Network (GFSN) has claimed eight professional English league players have come out to their clubs.
However, seven of these players have not wanted their sexuality made known to the public because of the backlash they fear from fans.
Striker Justin Fashanu was the last high-profile British football player to reveal his homosexuality in 1990 before taking his own life in 1998.
NBA basketball player Jason Collins became the first active major US sport male to come out on the back of a Sports Illustrated magazine interview last week.
American soccer player Robbie Rogers also recently came out after spending time playing in England for the likes of Leeds United and Stevenage.
Chis Basiurski, chairman of the GFSN, told the Observer: “We have anecdotal evidence that players are out within their clubs and don’t have a problem.
“But we are trying to create an atmosphere for people to come out safely. At the moment there is a big barrier. The fact is, we have never really tested the fans, both home or away, on this.
“The danger is what happens when a player comes out and gets loads of support and attention, but then starts playing badly.
“The worry is that fans will start getting on their backs and they may lose the confidence of their manager and it could be connected to their sexuality.”
Stonewall’s Andrew Wasley added: “There are signs that things are getting much better, at clubs such as West Ham and Arsenal in particular.
“But there are also gay people who are worried about what to do. The whole game needs to be much more open.”
