Portsmouth's David James Provides Insight into Elite Level Football

Hundreds of millions of people watch elite level football every week, with the leagues such as the English Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga garnering massive TV ratings worldwide.

Many people think they know how their favourite teams play; how their players perform; and how good of a player they are. Many think they know football quite well, and in truth they do.

But there are some things people don't realise, or rather, don't really pay much attention to.

In an interview recently in SkySports Magazine with Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James, there were some really interesting questions asked on topics including homosexuality and the integration of players into society, with rather insightful answers.

One question asked to James was about Premier League players, and whether they're separated from society (as was claimed by Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton).

To which James replied: "If you can define what society is, then I'll tell you how [separated] we are.

"When I pop down to Sainsbury's I see some people who arguably are equally as divorced from reality!"

Players at the highest level can sometimes become all too involved at the start of their career when they're suddenly earning loads of money and becoming famous—a fact which is not lost on the Pompey keeper.

He added, "The entertainment culture is so prevalent it's very difficult to maintain a low-key, normal existence. Some players get carried away.

"Equally, they're men who are given the opportunity to be famous and earn money at a young age.

"As with a lot of things in life, it seems that the minority get the headlines and that tarnishes the industry."

Another problem in football has been players coming out as homosexual, and the homophobic attitude which appears to be a prominent feature in the sport.

It was reported that Max Clifford (an English publicist) advised two Premier League players not to come out as gay because the game was not ready for it.

But it's an issue that James isn't too concerned about, insisting that a player's sexuality shouldn't be given too much attention.

He said, "[Players admitting they're homosexual] is not a problem for me, and I don't think it's a problem for football or society either, beyond the normal realms.

"If one of the guys was to come out [as being homosexual], then I'm sure there would be some reaction.

"There would also be a lot of people who would accept it and not say anything, and that's possibly the best way, rather than go from one extreme to the other and behold it as some sort of achievement.

"If you're gay, what's the problem? We've got gay staff at Portsmouth and they carry on with their day's work and no one really cares."

James also commented that there might be more homosexual footballers currently playing than people would think.

"You're dealing with a cross-section of male society," said the England shot-stopper.

"One in 10 men are gay apparently, and that would suggest one in 10 footballers have to be gay.

"I've been in football a long time and I can assure you there are some guys who might possibly fit that bill."

David James also talked about topics such as his plans to become a manager, his foundation in Malawi, and the conversion of his car to run on rapeseed oil in place of petrol.

The World Cup hopeful also wanted to reiterate one thing: "[I read a story about myself that] apparently I got injured picking up a remote control. That is absolutely not true."