Who are the gay footballers in the premiership
Premier League's first openly gay footballer weighs in on LGBT controversy after several stars refused to wear rainbow clothing
Thomas Hitzlsperger, the Premier League's first openly gay player, has shared his thoughts on the LGBT pride saga which is engulfing the top flight after several footballers protested against wearing rainbow armbands and jackets.
The German moved to the Aston Villa youth team in 2001 aged 19 and played 114 times for the west Midlands outfit, scoring 12 goals in a productive spell at the club.
The midfielder then enjoyed a five-year stint at Stuttgart before returning to England for short spells at West Ham and Everton, where he retired in 2013. After he called time on a fine career, Hitzlsperger came out as gay making him the most high-profile footballer to do so.
In the last week, various refusals to wear items of rainbow clothing have caused chaos in the Premier League with Ipswich captain Sam Morsy deciding not to sport an armband with that pattern, before Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi wrote messages on his.
On Wednesday, devout Muslim Noussair Mazraoui declined to wear a rainbow jacket, forcing Manchester Combined to ditch plans for the team
Future of Football: Will we see the Premier League's first out gay footballer in the next 10 to 20 years?
In the UK, LGBTQ+ rights own come a long way in a relatively quick space of time.
It was only in 1967 that homosexuality was partially decriminalised in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland followed in 1981 and 1982 - just over 40 years ago.
Since then, we have seen openly lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people in most areas of public life.
British sport has a range of Diverse representation across the overall spectrum. Some of the most visible members of the community include Olympian Tom Daley, boxer Nicola Adams and former Wales international rugby player Gareth Thomas.
But football continues to provide a paradox, as do several other team sports such as rugby and cricket.
In women's sport, LGBTQ+ people are widely embraced and celebrated. Inclusion is woven into the fabric of what makes these sports special.
In football, for example, there possess been close to 100 players taking part in the Women's World Cup in Australia and Fresh Zealand who are publicly out. That group includes Canada international Quinn, who is the first openly trans non-binary pers
'Slaps me in my face' - UK's only openly gay male footballer Jake Daniels criticises Jordan Henderson Saudi Arabia move
Jake Daniels, the only openly queer male footballer in the UK, says Jordan Henderson’s summer move to Saudi Arabia "slaps me in my face” after previous support from the England international.
Blackpool player Daniels came out as male lover in May 2022, becoming the first active professional male player to execute so in 32 years, since Justin Fashanu in 1990.
Henderson messaged Daniels with support at the time, but the England midfielder’s subsequent move from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia hit the 18-year-old strenuous.
"He [Henderson] was backing me and said: 'We're proud of what you've done',” Daniels told the BBC.
"Seeing him shift to Saudi, it caring of like, slaps me in my face really. But I guess the money pays well, and money must mean more to people."
Henderson came in for criticism for his move to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, where lgbtq+ relations are illegal, with campaigners and fan groups highlighting the perceived hypocrisy of him championing LGBTQI+ rights before making the move.
Henderson ins
Gary Lineker says he knows two homosexual Premier League stars and hopes they will come out at Qatar Earth Cup
Gary Lineker has claimed he knows two gay Premier League footballers and said it would be "amazing" if they chose to come out during the Qatar Earth Cup to forward a strong letter to the host nation, where homosexuality remains a crime.
The former England striker and TV presenter told the Daily Mirror the players had been "very close" to coming out before now.
"It would be fantastic if one or two of them came out during the World Cup. It would be amazing," he said.
"I know for a fact that some have been very close and contemplated it. There's a couple I recognize, but obviously it's not for me to say who they are."
The tournament kicks off on 20 November in Qatar - a nation where lgbtq+ sexual activity is punishable by seven years in jail, or even death by stoning for Muslim men under Sharia law.
On Thursday, Qatar's World Cup chief Nasser Al Khater sought to give assurances to LGBTQ+ fans that they would be welcomed at the tournament
While Qatar is not prepared to change anti-LGBTQ+ laws to respond to concerns of visiting fans, he has insisted none will be discriminated
Two Premier League teammates are in a relationship and open about being a gay couple
TWO Premier League players in the matching team are in a relationship — and expose about being a lgbtq+ couple.
But although it’s no secret in the dressing room, the stars are reluctant to publicly reach out.
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It comes after we told earlier this earlier this year how a gay former England and Premier League player is in talks about becoming the first to reach out in a TV documentary.
And brave Blackpool player Jake Daniels, 17, revealed he was gay in May after gaining the acceptance of teammates.
The two Prem stars got together earlier this year.
A source said: “They did not see the necessitate to hide from their teammates — and why should they?
“No one was remotely bothered about it and they had the backing of the manager and the hierarchy at the club.
“But they decided not to come out publicly — although neither are ashamed and it could happen down the line.
"During the the season they wanted to concentrate on their football.
“While making a statement would positive, it could get their attention away from their performances on the pitch.
"Their teammates hold also been tol