Professional footballer declares that he is gay

[Feedback]

It seems I'm in a minority, and most of us think fans would be absolutely fine about it.

So why, I wonder, is the tally of openly gay footballers in this country still zero? Obviously it's something else. Any suggestions?

I have no idea. Most lads I know (and we're in our 40s and 50s) really couldn't give a shite about what consenting adults get up to in their own bedroom, and I'd hazard a guess most people younger than us are even less bothered than we are. So I don't really know why gay footballers don't feel comfortable coming out.

I reckon there would be quite a lot of positivity, with fans policing themselves much in the way racists are shouted down by the majority, so would the homophobes.

[Croesy Blue]

I have no idea. Most lads I know (and we're in our 40s and 50s) really couldn't give a shite about what consenting adults get up to in their own bedroom, and I'd hazard a guess most people younger than us are even less bothered than we are. So I don't really know why gay footballers don't feel comfortable coming out.

I reckon there would be quite a lot of positivity, with fans policing themselves much in the way racists are shouted down by the majority, so would the homophobes.

I reckon you’re quite wide of the mark.

You only have to see the comments on anything about rainbow laces to see how a lot of people still feel about gay people.

I don’t even think racism is policed by fans either, I’ve seen plenty of things shouted or sang that haven’t been shut down by anyone.

[delmbox]

I have no idea. Most lads I know (and we're in our 40s and 50s) really couldn't give a shite about what consenting adults get up to in their own bedroom, and I'd hazard a guess most people younger than us are even less bothered than we are. So I don't really know why gay footballers don't feel comfortable coming out.

I reckon there would be quite a lot of positivity, with fans policing themselves much in the way racists are shouted down by the majority, so would the homophobes.

I think dressing rooms would be fine bar potentially some players from countries with more backwards views, the terraces would have the occasional dickhead but social media would comfortably be the worst of all, there's some absolutely poisonous people on there

[UNDERHILL1927]

It'll be good when we can get to a stage where announcements like this aren't News.

👏👏👏

[Feedback]

I think dressing rooms would be fine bar potentially some players from countries with more backwards views, the terraces would have the occasional dickhead but social media would comfortably be the worst of all, there's some absolutely poisonous people on there

Maybe give social media a swerve.

[Feedback]

I reckon you’re quite wide of the mark.

You only have to see the comments on anything about rainbow laces to see how a lot of people still feel about gay people.

I don’t even think racism is policed by fans either, I’ve seen plenty of things shouted or sang that haven’t been shut down by anyone.

What do you think would happen if someone tried to start racist chanting down the city?

[dembethewarrior]

Also, what does strong clamping down look like? I remember the three black England players who missed penalties against Italy receiving a lot of racial abuse and not much clamping down.

Can't imagine what Hyms and Arias would be reshuffled into if a gay player played against Cardiff.

I agree with a poster above who says it'll be good when this stuff isn't instantly news, but for whatever the reason is it just doesn't seem to happen in football.

[Croesy Blue]

What do you think would happen if someone tried to start racist chanting down the city?

I’ve heard I’d rather wear a turban than a rose plenty of times with nothing happening.

[dembethewarrior]

I’ve heard I’d rather wear a turban than a rose plenty of times with nothing happening.

Welsh fella saying they'd rather not be English.

Lock them up.

[Croesy Blue]

Welsh fella saying they'd rather not be English.

Lock them up.

I can only hope you’re being sarcastic and aren’t this dense.

[ToTaL ITK]

Gay is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful',
there aren't many cheerful souls on the MB

[splott parker]

Welsh fella saying they'd rather not be English.

Lock them up.

Clickbait reply.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Welsh fella saying they'd rather not be English.

Lock them up.

This song is highly offensive and racist

It's saying English people are so low that the person singing the song would rather be Asian!

Incredibly ignorant and racist crap

Surprised you as an educated fella think it's just a song , it's far worse than saying I would rather be welsh than English

[Canton Kev]

there aren't many cheerful souls on the MB

I didn’t think Cardiff fans could be cheerful

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I’ve heard I’d rather wear a turban than a rose plenty of times with nothing happening.

Indeed

I mean if we are talking about clampdowns on homophobic abuse then Brighton fans have been getting it in the neck for years , its very embarrassing to hear our lot sing it but I am afraid they do

As for clampdowns on offensive chants in general don't expect the club to do anything about it

They pay lip service and tick boxes but taking action ?

Complete and utter waste of time

[B. Oddie]

Good on him.

[Feedback]

I’ve heard I’d rather wear a turban than a rose plenty of times with nothing happening.

Is that really racist? We're the sane ****ing race.

English bashing, definitely. Not racist.

And it's banter.

[Armitage Shanks]

Is that really racist? We're the sane ****ing race.

English bashing, definitely. Not racist.

And it's banter.

Really? I thought that has massive racist connotations

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Is that really racist? We're the sane ****ing race.

English bashing, definitely. Not racist.

And it's banter.

Huge racist overtones

Me .....Welsh bloke .......think the English are so low that I would rather be Asian (turban) than be English

You English are soo low that it would be better to be Asian than English

It's certainly not banter , it's racism

[Croesy Blue]

Is that really racist? We're the sane ****ing race.

English bashing, definitely. Not racist.

And it's banter.

It isn’t the English part, you cannot be serious with this.

I cannot believe two people have genuinely thought the racism in this is about the English ffs

Don’t worry lads they’ll self police!

When the English sing I’d rather be a p*ki than a Turk it’s just banter about being Turkish!!!!

****ing doughnuts

[Feedback]

Really? I thought that has massive racist connotations

I've never given it much thought. It's not something I've heard being sung

[Croesy Blue]

I've never given it much thought. It's not something I've heard being sung

We’re the same race

[Feedback]

It isn’t the English part, you cannot be serious with this.

I dont take offence at everything and anything in the way you do.

[Croesy Blue]

I dont take offence at everything and anything in the way you do.

I don’t take offence at anything but that is racist, no two ways about it.

[Feedback]

It isn’t the English part, you cannot be serious with this.

I cannot believe two people have genuinely thought the racism in this is about the English ffs

Don’t worry lads they’ll self police!

When the English sing I’d rather be a p*ki than a Turk it’s just banter about being Turkish!!!!

****ing doughnuts

You hear these songs whereas I do not. That says more about who you sit with than anything else.