A massive step for football
Three players are currently in contact with the FA about coming out as gay, according to reports.
MP John Nicolson revealed this during a Department of Culture, Media and Sport hearing into homophobia in sport.
Speaking to Nicolson at the committee hearing, sports minister Tracey Crouch said “there has never been a better time” to come out.
She told MPs that Clarke’s comments were “incredibly disappointing” and “strange”, adding: “If someone were to decide to come out, they should feel like they are being supported by the authorities and that any abuse would be tackled.”
In October, FA chairman Greg Clarke told players considering coming out as gay that they would receieve ‘significant abuse’ if they did.
In response, Nicolson said that Clarke had been invited back to present an action plan to MPs, because it was “not good enough” to say an openly gay player would suffer abuse.
“I understand three players are in talks with the FA about coming out and they haven’t done so yet,” said Scottish National Party MP Nicolson. “It’s good to know that you’re encouraging people to come out.”
When asked about Nicolson’s comments, an FA spokesperson said: “We have been and are working hard so that if a player felt they wanted to have the conversation about coming out, we would be there and offer any and all the support we could. Ultimately it has to be an individual’s personal choice.”
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
