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The confession of a footballer: “I’m gay, but I don’t have the courage to say it”

A step at a time. This is doing a footballer who plays in the Premier League. The goal is to reveal his homosexuality to everyone, but the road is still long. For now, the anonymous player has found the courage to speak only with the reporter from Sun Amal Fashanu, and his words give a good idea of ​​the state of tension in which he feels forced to live for fear of not being accepted by colleagues and opposing fans.

«In 2021 I should be free to tell everyone who I am», he explains, «but many fans in the stands are convinced that they are still in the 80s. I would like to open up to people, because I am proud of who I am, but the truth is that if I did I would be crucified».

The footballer was convinced to reveal his true sexual identity to Fashanu also because the journalist is an activist in the sector and is the granddaughter of Justin Fashanu, the footballer who came out in 1990 and took his own life eight years later.

“When I play I often think if supporters can find me. And I fear that my clothes, how I dress off the pitch, could betray me. All of this is mentally killing me, it’s terrible. I hope that with the help of a psychologist one day I will find the strength to get rid of this burden ».

Amal Fashanu believes it, the first admission will soon arrive and this wall will be pulled down. This summer, the reporter from the Sun, made a documentary about his uncle and created an organization to combat homophobia in the world of sport. Fashanu also confirmed that he spoke to two other gay footballers and put them in contact with each other. Unity is strength.

READ ALSO: Sport and coming out: why the taboo of men’s football remains?

READ ALSO: Carl Nassib: «I’m gay». It is the first coming out in American football

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