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English football clubs ordered to tolerate gay players: Report
London, June 22: The governing body for English football is to order clubs to be more accepting of homosexual players in an attempt to end discrimination in the sport, a report said today.
London, June 22: The governing body for English football is to order clubs to be more accepting of homosexual players in an attempt to end discrimination in the sport, a report said today.
In a campaign to begin at the start of the next football season in September, the Football Association (FA) will try to make the game more "inclusive", the 'Sunday Telegraph' said.
Similar to recent anti-racism drives, under the new rules players, officials or fans who abuse or bully homosexuals could face fines or even bans.
"What we would want to have in football is a situation where anybody should feel comfortable, regardless of their sexual orientation, ethnic background or their sex," FA official Lucy Faulkner told the paper.
Education and "awareness training" would be provided, she said, while admitting progress could be slow.
"It's going to take a few years," she said.
Top-level English football has seen only one openly gay player -- striker Justin Fashanu, who killed himself in 1998.
When playing for Nottingham Forest, Fashanu faced open hostility from the club's famously abrasive coach Brian Clough, who referred to him a "bloody poof".
Such is the macho culture of the sport that England defender Graeme le Saux, a married man, has faced sustained abuse over his alleged sexuality from players and fans after admitting a fondness for antiques and reading books.
Bureau Report
Similar to recent anti-racism drives, under the new rules players, officials or fans who abuse or bully homosexuals could face fines or even bans.
"What we would want to have in football is a situation where anybody should feel comfortable, regardless of their sexual orientation, ethnic background or their sex," FA official Lucy Faulkner told the paper.
Education and "awareness training" would be provided, she said, while admitting progress could be slow.
"It's going to take a few years," she said.
Top-level English football has seen only one openly gay player -- striker Justin Fashanu, who killed himself in 1998.
When playing for Nottingham Forest, Fashanu faced open hostility from the club's famously abrasive coach Brian Clough, who referred to him a "bloody poof".
Such is the macho culture of the sport that England defender Graeme le Saux, a married man, has faced sustained abuse over his alleged sexuality from players and fans after admitting a fondness for antiques and reading books.
Bureau Report