London (AFP) – Jake Daniels, a 17-year-old midfielder who plays with club Blackpool, in the English 2nd division, became the first active British professional player to publicly claim his homosexuality on Monday, in a press release.
” This season has been fantastic for me on the pitch. I played my first pro match, scored 30 goals with the reserves, signed my first pro contract “, told the player on the website of his club.
” But off the pitch, I hid who I really am. I have known all my life that I was gay and I feel that I am now ready to come out and be myself. »he continued.
In the 1990s, Justin Fashanu was the first openly gay English professional player, but he was playing at amateur level when he gave his explosive interview to the tabloid The Sun.
Victim of insults and homophobic behavior following his coming out, the former Norwich and Nottingham Forest striker committed suicide eight years later.
” Being gay, bi or queer is still a taboo in men’s football “, underlined the young player, in an interview with Sky Sport.
” I think it’s because a lot of footballers want to be recognized for their manliness. And people see being gay as a weakness, something you can be teased with on the pitch. “, he continued.
” But as I see it, I play football and (the spectators) can yell things at me, but they pay to see me play and I earn my living that way. So let them shout whatever they want, it won’t change a thing “, retorted the young man again.
Daniels’ announcement was met with an outpouring of messages of sympathy from across English football.
” You are an inspiration to us all, Jake “, for example, wrote the Leicester club on its Twitter account.
“ Football is a sport for everyone, with diversity at its core, and this is a huge step in the right direction as we try to create a truly inclusive sport that we will all be proud of. “added the English football federation.