Gordon Taylor and the PFA Shy Away from Homophobia in Football

There are around 2,800 players in the Premiership and Football League. On average, 6.6% of the UK’s population is homosexual , according to a 2005 government survey. So, by rights, there should be around 175 gay footballers.

There are currently no openly gay professional footballers in England.

This year, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), chaired by Gordon Taylor, had the opportunity to make a stand against homophobia in English football when the FA requested it ask its members to participate in an anti-homophobia DVD. Whilst they supported the cause as an association, they did not proceed to request player involvement.

The issue of homophobia has long been the scourge of the English game and its greatest taboo. The only openly gay footballer in the game’s history, Justin Fashanu, was incessantly bullied and vilified before he committed suicide in 1998.

Indeed, it has been reported that Max Clifford represents a number of footballers who are gay but need a publicist to keep their sexuality out of the media.

Gordon Taylor appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live this morning (12th February) and mentioned that he felt it inappropriate to ask because not only was the game not ready to embrace homosexuality, but he believed that any footballer seen to be making a stand against the prejudice would be subject to taunting from the terraces.

This stance is not one that is likely to effect change in the mentality of football fans any time soon.

What needs to be done is for a group of players, perhaps who are almost immune from terrace criticism, to stand up and make a statement against homophobia in football. What needs to be done is for the England team to represent the cause.

When England got behind the ‘kick racism out’ campaign, it made a difference to the sport and the complexion of the nation’s attitude to racism.

Just as you don’t have to be black to campaign against racism, there is no need for straight footballers to be afraid of saying that homophobia in the game is wrong and needs to be stamped out.

If Rugby Union and Hurling can do it, why can’t football?

See this and other great articles on Half Volley , the half science, half comment sports blog .