zarathustra
RefChat Addict
I don't think the issue is whether or not players or officials are gay.
It is how they would be treated if people knew they were.
Let's say that a we'll know premier league footballer was gay. They might not make a big song and dance about it, but, you know that the tabloids would be all over it like a rash if they were seen holding hands with their boyfriend whilst out shopping.
And it would become a big deal whether they want it to or not.
I don't know how you get rid of the homophobic abuse in football. Charging clubs isn't going to achieve much, arresting the perpetrators would, but I imagine it's quite difficult to identify who shouted what when you have 75000 people there.
I go and watch my Mrs play, and in her team there's probably 6 straight people, I also referee in the county women's league, and I've never heard any abuse from players, and/or spectators. Although admittedly apart from cup finals the matches don't really attract much in the way of supporters.
I heard from another ref about one match where someone (I assume a players dad) was shouting abuse at the opposition, calling them dykes etc and was gotten rid of, but that's it.
The only way these types of views and behaviour will really be irradicated is over time. Younger people tend to be more accepting of people who are different to themselves, so as the older generations slowly get replaced it will improve.
It is how they would be treated if people knew they were.
Let's say that a we'll know premier league footballer was gay. They might not make a big song and dance about it, but, you know that the tabloids would be all over it like a rash if they were seen holding hands with their boyfriend whilst out shopping.
And it would become a big deal whether they want it to or not.
I don't know how you get rid of the homophobic abuse in football. Charging clubs isn't going to achieve much, arresting the perpetrators would, but I imagine it's quite difficult to identify who shouted what when you have 75000 people there.
I go and watch my Mrs play, and in her team there's probably 6 straight people, I also referee in the county women's league, and I've never heard any abuse from players, and/or spectators. Although admittedly apart from cup finals the matches don't really attract much in the way of supporters.
I heard from another ref about one match where someone (I assume a players dad) was shouting abuse at the opposition, calling them dykes etc and was gotten rid of, but that's it.
The only way these types of views and behaviour will really be irradicated is over time. Younger people tend to be more accepting of people who are different to themselves, so as the older generations slowly get replaced it will improve.
