Premier League Star Says He Is Gay In An Open Letter, But “Too Afraid” To Come Out
An anonymous Premier League football player has revealed he is gay in an open letter but admits only his family and friend know, keeping his sexuality secret from his team-mates.
In an open letter, the footballer opened up about the torment he goes through daily and he talks about the “huge step” he is taking of revealing his sexuality.
In the letter, the player writes: “I am gay. Even writing that down in this letter is a big step for me.
“But only my family members and a select group of friends are aware of my sexuality. I don't feel ready to share it with my team or my manager.
“How does it feel having to live like this? Day-to-day, it can be an absolute nightmare. And it is affecting my mental health more and more,” he says.
“I feel trapped and my fear is disclosing the truth about what I am will only make things worse.”
The unidentified player goes on to say that he doesn't think football “is ready for a player to come out” and that “radical changes” would need to be made for him to be comfortable to do so.
He directly criticises the Professional Footballers Association, the players' trade union, for their approach to managing the revelation once the individual decides to come out.
Currently there are no openly gay or bisexual professional football players in the UK.
As ‘Daily Mail’ reports, in the past two decades, only two players who have competed in English leagues have revealed their sexuality, and both once they had stopped playing. The men were Robbie Rogers, who played for Leeds United from 2006 to 2017, and Thomas Hitlzberger, who played for Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton between 2001 and 2013.
On their website, the PFA says they have been “working with both players to ensure we have a support network in place when and if another footballer comes out.”
“And they [the PFA] have said they will offer counselling and support to anyone who needs it.
“This is missing the point. If I need a counsellor I can go and book a session with one whenever I want.
“What those running the game need to do is educate fans, players, managers, agents, club owners — basically everyone involved in the game”
He said that he doesn't think that he would be supported “every step of the way” if he was to reveal his true identity.
He also expressed his sadness at approaching an age where he would like to be in a relationship, but being unable to due to the stigma he perceives.
“Because of the job I do the level of trust in having a long-term partner has to be extremely high,” he writes.
“So, at the moment, I avoid relationships at all.
“I dearly hope I will soon meet someone who I think I will be able to trust enough.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
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”
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