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Where's the gay footballers?: BBC talks to hardman Joey Barton
By James Ledward, Jan 29, 2012 - 11:39:38 AM
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Justin Fashanu

There are currently around 5,000 professional footballers in Britain, but not one of them has come out publicly as gay.

Amal Fashanu, niece of Justin Fashanu, the only ever openly gay British professional, tries to find out why no gay player has followed in her uncle's boots in over twenty years.

Witnessing the typical chants from opposing fans on the terraces at Brighton & Hove Albion, a club Justin once played for, Amal sees why gay players are nervous about coming out. Comedian, Matt Lucas tells her the problem extends beyond the fans.
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John Fashanu


Justin's brother and former professional footballer, John Fashanu tells her there is more chance of a "black Pope being elected" than a gay footballer coming out.

Max Clifford, who reveals he has helped several Premiership stars keep their homosexuality secret in order to preserve their careers, goes further by insisting that the mentality of most people in and around the game remains in the Dark Ages.

When Amal finally negotiates some access to straight premiership stars - from the Millwall dressing room - she learns that attitudes amongst many footballers may not be as bad as feared.
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Joey Barton


The Premiership's most controversial and outspoken player, Joey Barton, who like Amal has a gay uncle, expresses "pity" for his fellow professionals who lack the courage to speak out on the subject, but blames the game's homophobia on some of the "archaic figures" who run the game.

Amal also gains access to a professional game official prepared to come forward and meet her to discuss life as a gay man inside the game, but the politics of the game prevent him.
 
The GFSN (Gay Football Supporters’ Network) have welcomed the BBC3 documentary, on which they were consulted.

A spokesperson, said:
"We do however think it is important to emphasise that at the amateur level, LGBT participation in football is flourishing. The GFSN National League is the world's only national 11-a-side football league aimed at the LGBT community and currently has 15 teams from across the United Kingdom.  Four gay football teams compete in the mainstream FA county leagues and many of our teams regularly play in international tournaments."
 
GFSN Chair, Chris Basiurski added:
"We welcome the BBC documentary on gay footballers and hope it stimulates debate on why professional players do not feel comfortable enough to be open about their sexuality. The UK is at the forefront of LGBT sport with the world's only national gay football league so it seems strange that the attitudes in the professional game are so far behind."

For information view:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bncfg

You can view the documentary 'Britain's Gay Footballers' on Monday,  January 30 at 9pm on BBC3.


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