[The Sun] A sports star wants to come out as gay – but his club is worried about a backlash from fans.
The Premier League ace has even been told not to make a public declaration without their blessing.
He is continuing talks with bosses who are seeking assurances his announcement won’t derail their season.
A source close to the household name star said: “It’s a huge decision for the player to go public about being gay.
“But after telling his club, officials have expressed reservations.”
The top player, his agent and team officials have discussed him clarifying his sexuality for months.
The Sun’s insider said: “The club has been supportive but is anxious about a backlash from fans.
“Ideally they want another player to ‘come out’ first, so they are not the centre of attention.
“The club wants the best for the player and realises he should be celebrated for being so brave and willing to be open about his sexuality.
“But bosses are anxious a public announcement does not consume the club.”
The star’s desire to come out has been widely discussed by his team-mates in WhatsApp groups.
They have been supportive and accused the club of being “stuck in the past”.
One of the gay player’s colleagues said: “He’s a little disappointed with the club for worrying about the reaction of fans.
“It is a positive story and he deserves to be treated as a trailblazer.”
Last year, The Sun told how two Premier League team-mates bullied over talk they are in a gay relationship suffered abuse from players.
One star found a note saying “f****t” under his kit before kick-off.
His alleged lover was then abused when a phallic sex toy was left on his car.
Six team meetings were called by senior players to stop the homophobia.
The anti-gay stunts continued after it was revealed how the club was at war because of the scandal.
One African-born ace told colleagues he objected to men having a sexual relationship on religious grounds.
The Sun told how posters poking fun at the two players were put up at the club’s training ground.
In May it emerged another Premier League footballer had a secret gay relationship for four years – but wouldn’t come out fearing a backlash from fans could wreck his career.
The international ace, who told close pals in the game he is bisexual, has a child with his female partner.
But he was also having an affair with an openly gay fashion worker.
The player’s 21-year-old lover told last night of the star’s emotional torment. He said: “The Premier League’s a very weird environment for a gay or bi man.
“It’s a modern institution nothing like the rest of society. If two men want a consensual sexual relationship in this country, in most cases, no one would blink an eye.
Earlier this week, a Twitter account allegedly belonging to a gay English footballer revealed he is set to become the first player come out publicly.
“The Gay Footballer” has over 17,000 followers and is said to belong to a Championship player.
There are no active professional male footballers in England who are openly gay.
A statement posted from the account said the player’s identity would be revealed once he has prepared himself for the announcement.
He tweeted: “This afternoon I requested a meeting with both my manager and the club chairman.
“At this meeting I revealed to both gentlemen that I am a homosexual man, I explained that I had only yesterday come out to my family.
“I sought advice from both men regarding the fact that I not only want to, but will, come out publicly as a proud, confident gay professional footballer.
“As it currently stands, once I have taken the time to give full consideration to how and when I am to make it public, a press conference will be organised by the club, with invitations to be made in due course to both local and national press.”
While the tweets received a largely positive response, some abuse was also aimed at him
The Football Association marched at Pride in London for the first time last weekend while they have backed Stonewall’s rainbow laces campaign in recent years.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is one of the most high-profile figures to come out as gay in recent times.
The ex-Germany international had already retired before making his sexuality public.
Similar: Athlete Avoids The Backlash
Athlete:
[Optional] Any advice for him?
Lilyboxer says
Alex Pearce from Millwall?
carriebradshaw says
He is playing for Juventus Turin now.
Sharper_Teeth says
He’s in too deep with his beard, and with all of the endorsement deals, I doubt it’s him. Seems like an obvious choice, though!
geekgirl says
The Twitter account has since been deleted and the user has said he would not be coming out.
sportsmomof3 says
Renaldo
machi.giceb says
‘Gay footballer’ deletes Twitter account: ‘I’m not strong enough to come out’ an article from The Guardian 9 hrs ago. No idea who the athlete is but I feel so sad for him. Must be so hard to be an LGBT member when you’re an athlete, maybe that’s why Christiano Ronaldo will never come out.
itstarapagain says
He has my sympathy. The Premier League is worth so much money and they do not want that kind of trouble. We’re not that far off from the Spanish fans throwing bananas on the field and yelling racial slurs at the non-white players. It is toxic masculinity and absolutely tolerated by the league. If someone comes out publicly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had death threats. I wish him only the best and admire him greatly for his convictions.
michelex23 says
This shocks me as I view our (US) football players, (not soccer) as toxic masculinity and soccer players not so much. I think more people would be shocked by a gay football player than soccer player.
itstarapagain says
Oh trust me…. the NFL is just as toxic. Just recently the NFL announced it wouldn’t punish a guy who abused his infant. Classy. I’m just saying the Premier League is also. Didn’t they have a problem a decade or so ago when fans would get beat up on their way into the venue? Sport in general would be fairly toxic.
pinkmarie says
The Gay soccer player is Christiano Ronaldo. He’s so handsome, but soft at the same time.
spookie says
Ashley Cole
Another issue is that so many teams are owned by millionaires (and royalty!) from countries where being gay is punishable by death.
Honey16 says
Cristiano Ronaldo
If this will effect his livelihood then I would think twice. However I also believe one should stand in their truth & just be free to love whomever. I wicked world we live in.
Mumumumu says
“A club stuck in the past.” That’s definitely Manchester United.
And the player is probably English, I’d guess it’s Jesse Lingard. He spends waaaayyy too much time with Marcus Rashford.
sugarlumps says
Your Manchester United as the club reasoning is spot on and made me laugh!
CallmeCrazy says
No idea who the athlete is. And I’m not sure why it’s anyone’s business who you choose to sleep with, but if this player wants to announce to the world that he is gay, more power to him.
It’s 2019. I can’t believe we’re still having this conversation.
charlene2345 says
I’m actually not that familiar with Premier League players these days, so I’ll pass on this one.
ChattyCat says
Ssssoooo…..you posted to say you have nothing to post? 🤔
elisemh says
Chris Smalling, plays for Man U.
Baileygirl says
No idea as it is a footballer in England, I presume. Advice? The team is a business and the management has to consider the backlash. If this athlete thinks 100% of the fans and the public will accept him 100% then he is living in a dream world. When he is told the decision has been made for him to come out then go for it and expect some backlash. It will die down soon enough once he begins to help the team win games.