The Gay Footballer: Anti-LGBT abuse casts shadow over Nations League kick-off

Here we go again:

Last week was an exciting week for international football fans. With the start of UEFA Nations League and International Friendlies galore, there seemed to be plenty to celebrate. But for LGBTQ fans and allies, the week proved to be a reminder that even though the football world may be advancing in technology and competitions, there is more work yet to be done in terms of fighting homophobia, racism, and overall fan abuse.

Earlier last week, Arsenal defender and Spanish International Hector Bellerin shared some shocking news of multiple accounts of fan abuse he has received while playing for Arsenal. In an interview with The Times of London Bellerin stated,

“People have called me lesbian for growing my hair.” Bellerin also added about the abuse that,

“There are other kinds of homophobic insults. I have learnt to grow a thick skin but it can affect you. Every now and again, you get a bit of self-doubt.” Some of it can get very abusive. Most of the abuse is online, but you hear it in the stadium, too.”

Bellerin revealed the abuse was so bad he had to shut down his social media accounts and that he believed that it would be impossible for a gay Premier League player to come out. Bellerin said,

“The problem is that people have an idea of what a footballer should look like, how they should behave, what they should talk about. It is impossible that anybody could be openly gay in football. Some fans are not ready.”

As an out football player, I have received homophobic abuse from both fans and opposing players. It is unfortunate to hear about this type of incident in the EPL, even after efforts like Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign and Football v Homophobia’s educational programs.

What is most shocking about Bellerin’s comments is his thoughts on an openly gay player in the EPL. The fact that Bellerin, a heterosexual player, thinks it is impossible for there to be a gay athlete in the EPL, illuminates the fact that this issue is still prevalent in professional football leagues.

To this day, there has not been an actively open footballer in the Premier League and Bellerin’s experiences are a perfect example of why this is the case. As with my experience, footballers are afraid of the daily abuse and added pressures they would receive for being themselves. Footballers at this level already deal with immense amount of pressures to succeed and prove their monetary worth. Adding this extra outside distraction and pressure, by disclosing their sexuality, would only make things much more difficult. Footballers do not want to give fans, managers, or owners any extra ammo for criticisms.

The one positive thing I see from this entire incident is that Bellerin rightfully shined a light on a problem that will not go away. He spoke up about issues that exist in football to this day, even though many programs and initiatives have been created to battle them. Other footballers should follow in Bellerin’s footsteps and share their experiences about fan abuse, opposition abuse, and how it is hurting the game.

Unfortunately, Bellerin’s experience was not the only example in the week in which the LGBTQ community was attacked.

In the UEFA Nations League match-up of England versus Spain, reports from Sky Sports indicated that members of England’s LGBTQ fan group, “3 Lions Pride”, were subject to homophobic abuse throughout the match. The abuse was reported to security at Wembley Stadium. However no arrests were made following the event.

Many readers will remember the negative climate surrounding the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as many LGBTQ fans were afraid to travel to the country based off of Russia’s attitude towards the LGBTQ community. After a relatively quiet tournament, it is sad to see incidents such as these  occur in the following months of the World Cup. Not much information has surfaced about this incident, but again it puts a negative ending to a highly entertaining and competitive match.

The football organization “Kick It Out”, which focuses on equality and inclusion in football, produced a mobile application in 2013 to combat fan abuse. The application enables fans to report incidents of abuse that occur in the stands anonymously by submitting photos, videos, and written statements. The application has seen a great deal of success and is an important tool to tackling discrimination in football. I think more football clubs and fans should learn about and use the application. A major issue surrounding discrimination and abuse in football is that these incidents are not reported and just “swept under the rug”. But if we all make an effort to speak up and report these incidents, like Hector Bellerin, we can continue to positively shape football for years to come.