I detest homophobia in any walk of life,  and  I think your assertion that......To some people using anti-gay remarks about other people is a way of deflecting suspicion falling on themselves.......... is probably correct Brisket.

I saw the bit on Newsnight after the game last night. The film was poor. Since the Grauniad mention Graham Le Saux today I can now reveal that he is the only player I have ever seen abused in such a way. I was so embarrassed to sit amongst supposedly grown up men and their children and listen to crap like that. The guy sat next to me said, "That Graham Le Saux is such a fanny, he reads the Guardian!" I let myself down saying, by way of an intellectual reply, "Why don't you STFU you neanderthal S-Hole?" We never spoke again and I now sit elsewhere. It's also the same reason why I don't have a good word for David Batty or Robbie Fowler. (But I suspect John Cooper Clarke has)

I saw it on Newsnight, last night, brisket.
It's hard hitting, but only really addresses homophobia on the terraces.
According to my son, he's never heard homophobic remarks, or taunts, at matches.
John Amaechi, the former NBA player, who came out three years ago, was on.
He, rightly IMO, said that it's the board rooms and changing rooms that need addressing first.

The woman from the FA's equality department was next to useless.

Oh Joe, you do have a wonderful way with words.
But I much admire your attitude.

Blizzie.   Thanks. I didn't see the Newsnight programme.
Yes, it instinctively sounds right that attitudes in board rooms and changing rooms should be challenged.
It sounds so weak to me that the film has been delayed (or even withdrawn.) Shame on them!

I have no time for homophobics Garage Joe

i was at a chelsea v liverpool match at stamford bridge a good few years back....when robbie fowler bent over in front of graeme le saux ..... and pulled at his backside cheeks to taunt le saux ....who was standing on the touchline waiting to take a throw in.........rumours had been circulating(and they were just rumours.le saux is still happily married) of his sexuality..

when it was brought to the refs attention of what fowler was doing...he wandered over.....spoke to le saux and then booked him for time wasting......leaving robbie fowler probably feeling very smug and happy about getting away with his taunt.......

i can't think of any professional footballer other than justin fashanu who has been open about their homosexuality..........and sadly for justin it ended with him taking his own life...

That is very sad spongebob

I know of a former Millwall player who was fairly openly gay (in that he didn't mind being seen wandering hand in hand round Savacentre with his boyfriend)

I can remember the miserable flak Justin Fashanu got for being gay.
And how long ago was that.....???

He came out in 1990, Cosmo.

And there you have it, Blizzie.  20 years on and it's hardly got any better.

I feel physically angry just reading that.

Taunting of that nature is absolutely awful.
Actually Fowler is diminished by it, and Le Saux is the bigger person.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t...e/article2419068.ece

Me too Queenie, angry and sad at the same time.

But I am convinced that some/many of the taunters themselves have gay inclinations and they do it to deflect attention away from themselves.
Perhaps they are scared that their `gayness` becomes known. But even worse, in my view, is that they have to live with their conscience (if they have one) - a conscience which has hurt others to protect themselves.
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

What makes me sick is the idiots who'll admire a player's ability until they find out he's gay - or suspect he's gay.  Then again, their "principles" on the matter of sexuality often take a back seat when a player is gifted enough to be the team's star player.

Thanks for that link Cold Sweat.
It makes very sad reading indeed.
The football authorities should be ashamed for not tackling (no pun intended) this.

Thankfully, racism has been almost totally stamped out of english football. Unfortunately not continental football though.



But in my experience (and i go to a lot of football matches) homophobia seems to be fading away as well. I cannot really recall witnessing any homophobia in recent years.

No sign of a high-profile male WAG just yet...

REALLY?  Thank the lord!!!!!!!!!!!

Not too sure on that one, I been on games this season and heard racist songs/chants towards certain players

Crunchy ,I think you may be a bit niave on that fact or hopeful.
Up here we have  Scottish football,namely the "Old Firm" in Glasgow.Never mind rascism we have rampant religious bigotry. Celtic seen as a "Catholic Irish" team,even though most of the players ain't etc.Rangers seen as a Scottish protestant team even though most of the players ain't etc.

It's getting a bit better ,though anyone with any sense doesn'y frequent certain areas of Glasgow/pubs after an "Old firm " derby match..pathetic.

Personally, I don't think Crunchy is being naive.

Oh it's not so vocal etc,because the clubs will get hammered etc if the crowds chant.Even football crowds learn.However just go into any football pub and you will hear it all, or  visit so called footy fan sites(not official).

Hence the words 'english football' in my original post.



Celtic and Rangers aren't in the english football league. Now I realise that the prospect of getting out of the most boring league in the world must be a delight, but they talk about this all the time and it will just never ever happen.



I don't know how you can call me naive when I actually go to english football matches so have a good basis to form my opinion on and imo there doesn't seem to be much (if any) racism what so ever going on in english football anymore.



Thankfully religion and football isn't mixed in this country so we don't have to deal with that kind of rubbish like in the old firm..

I don't give a stuff about football,but the fallout affects innocent folk going about their lives etc.I suspect folk from all over the UK avoid areas on a Saturday daytime and nightime.

They can chant these abusive things at footie matches coz they are among thousands and can't be singled out-- Live and let live is my Motto

Haven't read all the replies but your thread reminded me that a few months ago a Rugby player was on a news channel admitting to being gay. I just wondered why he felt a need, or a pressure, to do this. It's his personal life and I couldn't see how or why it would affect anyone else.

Possibly the press were going to do a "Story" etc..no idea to be honest.I know booger all about rugby as well as football.

Yes maybe they were katty. Apparently the Rugby player is well known to those that like Rugby, I'd never heard of him and haven't heard of most footballers either as I'm not interested in sports lol

Except his wife of course.



Mind you i'm sure I read in an interview that his team mates had known for some time and it wasn't a problem.

I would necessarily say homophobic remarks point the finger at the person making them.  Unfortunately, you get this in all walks of life.

I loathe and detest football and everything that surrounds this so-called 'beautiful game' which is really extremely ugly

It used to be a beautiful game Kaytee, until it became a big money making machine and more about money then the actual game.

Ruined by greed and morons imo I'm afraid LL

Dare I point out that it's cos of your laissez faire market economy Kaytee? It's ruined a lot more important things than football. (see what I did there?)

I must confess though I still love going to games.

You may Joe......but you have to factor in the stupidity of those involved as well.....hardly any of the European teams overpay their teams as much....and it's not my laissez faire economy....I still have some social principles(lol).
There's nothing wrong with doing something you enjoy...even though you're probably paying through the nose for it