Anonymous Premier League Footballer Publishes Coming Out Letter, Reveals He’s Too Afraid To Publicly Come Out
In an open letter, sent to the Justin Fashanu Foundation, an anonymous Premier League footballer says the game has not “moved on” enough to accept him.
He tells how he has told some team-mates about his sexuality but that living a secret life has damaged his mental health. In his letter he also claims game bosses are only paying “lip service” to the issue. The star adds that it has been “virtually impossible” to forge relationships due to his secret life.
This is the second letter from Premier League stars urging for a change this year.
Activist Amal Fashanu – who runs the foundation and is the niece of Justin Fashanu – released the letter after helping the player and other stars.
As ‘The Sun’ reports, Amal said the player felt he had a “weight lifted off his shoulders” after the first player’s letter received a positive reaction.
She added: “He was relieved in a way that the first letter came out and it was sympathetically received.
“He felt that lifted a weight off his shoulders and it is good that many attitudes have changed.
“I hope to put the two players in touch so they can discuss their situations and what they are going through.”
In the letter, the anonymous player reveals he would like to meet the footballer who wrote the first letter through the foundation.
He adds: “The reality is that we are two of many players in the Premier League who are gay.”
The first footballer had said in his open letter that he felt “trapped” and that leading a secret life was an “absolute nightmare”
Amal added: “They remain very quiet on this issue and seem to not want to stir things up.
“They’re trying to tackle racism and their energy is focused on that, although there is arguably a bigger problem with homophobia in football.”
A Premier League spokesman said: “The Premier League remains committed to supporting any player who wants to come out.
“Premier League football is open to everyone and we and our clubs continue to work together to create safe and welcoming environments for all of our fans, players and employees.
“Through our long-standing partnership with Stonewall we continue to celebrate and promote LGBT inclusion and have worked together to improve policies and practices.
“Our clubs work hard to promote equality and diversity in everything they do, from the atmosphere and experience in their stadiums to the many projects they run in their communities.”
Read the letter the anonymous footballer wrote below:
“There have only been two things I have been certain of in my life.
One is that I’ve always wanted to be a footballer. The second is that I’m gay. I’ve known since the age of 14 but even then, as a teenager, I knew the two things could not go hand in hand.
So I stayed quiet for years. Playing football helped massively.
It was a release from the mental strain of having to keep my sexuality a secret.
But over time I have been able to become more open about my feelings and how I want to live my life off the pitch.
I’ve come out to my parents, to close members of my family and to my friends.
That was a massive step for me and ever since I was able to do that things have become a hell of a lot easier.
Having their love and support was also one of the main reasons I was also able to tell some of my team-mates recently.
Bizarrely I wasn’t actually that worried about what their reaction would be. I think deep down they knew but were waiting for me to feel the time was right. Football teams and football clubs - whatever level you are playing at - are incredibly close knit.
I knew telling my team-mates was like telling a member of my family.
And I know that my secret will be safe with them until the moment I may eventually feel the time is right to speak in public about my feelings.
It’s so sad for me to say this, but even though society has moved on massively since I was a teenager the game simply hasn’t.
Those running it need to put more measures in place so that gay players know they will get the support they need.
Right now the powers that be are only playing lip service to the issue.
It helps to know I am not alone.
When I read the letter released by the Amal Fashanu Foundation earlier this year so much of what my fellow player said resonated with me and the way I feel.
Living a secret for years has had a massive impact on my mental health.
And forming relationships is virtually impossible for me too.
Reading that letter really affected me and I have been in regular contact with the Justin Fashanu Foundation ever since.
In the near future I am hoping to meet with the player. The reality is that we are two of many players in the Premier League who are gay.
Knowing I am not on my own and that I have the Foundation’s support makes living like this a little easier.
But it obviously shouldn’t be that way.
And those running football need to step up and help bring about change.”
Premier League Star Says He Is Gay In An Open Letter, But “Too Afraid” To Come Out
Watford Captain Troy Deeney Says “There Is Probably A Gay Or Bisexual Player In Every Football Team”
Trans Players Would Be Welcome In Women’s Football, Says Former England Striker
"LGBTI athletes' first biggest challenge is being accepted." | Interview with Simon Dunn
Senior Tory MP: “Football Is Still Intolerant Of Gay People”
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
