Professional Footballers’ Association predicts more gay players will be inspired to come out
The chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) predicts other gay footballers will come out following Thomas Hitzlsperger’s announcement this week.
He added: “I’ve never been ashamed of the way I am”.
Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband congratulated the star for coming out.
Hitzlsperger retired from the sport in September 2013 at the age of 31 after a series of injury problems.
There are currently no known openly gay footballers in the English and Scottish professional leagues.
When asked if the announcement could prove an inspiration for others still in the game to follow, PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor told Sky Sports News: “I would expect so. I would hope so.
“That would be saying there’s no reason for him to fear anything and it’s the same as our women footballers. From that point of view, it would be an indication there’s a much more civilised approach.”
Mr Taylor added: “You can see that a current player coming out would be subject to a great deal of media scrutiny but it’s happened in other sports such as cricket and rugby. I would be pleased that football is no different.”
Earlier this week, Michael Johnson resigned as an equality advisor to England’s Football Association, following fresh scrutiny of homophobic comments he made back in 2012.
