Last November I had something that resembled an existential crisis when my beloved Wigan Athletic – the team I have supported through thick, thin, promotion, cup glory and relegation since 25th March 2000 (a 2-0 home win against Notts County) – appointed Malky Mackay as manager. The former Cardiff manager had recently been exposed by the Daily Mail for sending a string of offensive text messages, including homophobic quips about a “gay snake”, but there he was unveiled as the man I needed to have faith in if we were to improve on our woeful season.
And there I was – a Wigan fan who loved his club long before he even pondered his sexuality – astounded, embarrassed and hurt.
It isn’t clear how bad the problem of homophobia is in football, but the clues aren’t exactly promising. Malky’s messages were just a snapshot of the bizarre ‘banter’ that is believed to go hand in hand with our national sport, society’s reaction to the heteronormative expectation that footballers are ‘proper men’. ‘Banter’ can be as seemingly harmless as suggesting Brighton fans are “holding hands”, or as vicious as labelling Sol Campbell a “Judas cunt with HIV”. Such ‘banter’ is keeping queerness, and players themselves, firmly in the closet.
Football’s authorities are trying to improve the game’s image, but the steps made so far have been few and far between. Arguably the biggest statement being made in football has come from betting company Paddy Power (alongside Stonewall), with their annual ‘Rainbow Laces’ campaign. Players from over 70 professional clubs laced up in support of the LGBTQ community, but the fact that a betting company is seemingly doing more to tackle homophobia than the FA is pretty damning.
Small steps are clearly being made, but in reality it will be difficult to judge how far British football has successfully modernised in its attitudes until a high profile, male footballer does come out while still playing.
To be fair to the FA, they are supporting Football v Homophobia, a campaign that is committed to eradicating discrimination in the sport. Football v Homophobia has gained support from numerous clubs, including (thankfully) my own Wigan, but the movement is in its infancy compared to anti-racism group Kick it Out. It’s accepted that the latter group’s work isn’t yet complete despite over 20 years of activism, so the new anti-homophobia movement probably has a long way to go too.
Small steps are clearly being made, but in reality it will be difficult to judge how far British football has successfully modernised in its attitudes until a high profile, male footballer does come out while still playing. Leeds United’s Robbie Rogers retired aged just 25, weeks before coming out as gay. He returned to the game three months later for Los Angeles Galaxy, but has repeatedly told interviewers that he could not have done that in England. Retired former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has also echoed this sentiment.
Until someone makes that leap, it’s impossible to know if ‘banter’ can be finally put aside and an openly queer footballer can flourish in England. Clubs and their supporters must strive to create an accepting atmosphere in preparation for that day, and once that happens then the game will finally be able to shake off the shadow of Justin Fashanu and move into the 21st Century.
Ste Topping