Homophobia in football - Dissertation survey

[ResearchRob]

I am studying Sports Development with Inclusion at LJMU and for my dissertation I am focusing on homophobia in football, I would be grateful if you would take the time to answer these questions and discuss with one an other your views. Thank-you.

This questionnaire is completely anonymous. This research is being carried out independently of any football organization, authority or fan group and has been designed to assess fans’ views on homophobia, gay players and football.

1. PR consultant Max Clifford (see Two top gay footballers stay in closet - News & Comment - Football - The Independent
said that three top players - two bisexual and one gay - had come to him regarding fears about their sexuality and the effect coming out would have on their careers. Clifford advised the footballers to disguise their sexuality because football, as he put it, “remains in the dark ages, steeped in homophobia.” What are your views on this? 

2. Suppose a gay footballer comes out. What do you think the reaction would be? (a) from fans; (b) from other players © from coaches and managers? 

3. Which reflects your own opinion most accurately: 

(a) Football has no place for gay players 
(b) Football has no place for people who hate or abuse gay players
Will you explain your reasons? 

Optional Questions:
4. Are you male or female? 
5. How old are you: 
6. What country do you live in? 
7. What club do you support? 
8. Are you a:
FAN 
PRO PLAYER 
COACH/MANAGER 
9. If you would like to join in further discussions of this subject, please leave your email and we will circulate you:

[DB11]

You'd get a better response if you use one of those online surveys and post the link

[sphericalfox]

You could have sent DT a pm, and saved a bunch of time. 

[Strokes]

Surveys are gay imo

[Bettsj2]

Its fvcking disgusting and unnatural. Would hate it if a gay was down City.

This is anonymous yeah?

[Xen]

I am studying Sports Development with Inclusion at LJMU and for my dissertation I am focusing on homophobia in football, I would be grateful if you would take the time to answer these questions and discuss with one an other your views. Thank-you.

This questionnaire is completely anonymous. This research is being carried out independently of any football organization, authority or fan group and has been designed to assess fans’ views on homophobia, gay players and football.

1. PR consultant Max Clifford (see Two top gay footballers stay in closet - News & Comment - Football - The Independent

said that three top players - two bisexual and one gay - had come to him regarding fears about their sexuality and the effect coming out would have on their careers. Clifford advised the footballers to disguise their sexuality because football, as he put it, “remains in the dark ages, steeped in homophobia.” What are your views on this? 

2. Suppose a gay footballer comes out. What do you think the reaction would be? (a) from fans; (b) from other players © from coaches and managers? 

3. Which reflects your own opinion most accurately: 

(a) Football has no place for gay players 

(b) Football has no place for people who hate or abuse gay players

Will you explain your reasons? 

Optional Questions:

4. Are you male or female? 

5. How old are you: 

6. What country do you live in? 

7. What club do you support? 

8. Are you a:

FAN 

PRO PLAYER 

COACH/MANAGER 

9. If you would like to join in further discussions of this subject, please leave your email and we will circulate you:

 

 

For the optional questions it'd probably be relevant to ask the sexuality of the people you're surveying, as I'm sure there'll be some differences there.

[Buce]

Its fvcking disgusting and unnatural. Would hate it if a gay was down City.

This is anonymous yeah?

I guess you won't be coming out any time soon...?

[Vicki Vixen]

Are you talking about English football or more broadly? If a gay footballer came out in England, it would be tolerated. If a gay footballer came out in Iran, he would literally be hung, drawn and quartered. Some context would help...

[Strokes]

I guess you won't be coming out any time soon...?

Was it a secret?

[Buce]

Was it a secret?

Only to his mum.

[Mark_w]

Are we just supposed to post these in here?

 

1. PR consultant Max Clifford (see Two top gay footballers stay in closet - News & Comment - Football - The Independent
said that three top players - two bisexual and one gay - had come to him regarding fears about their sexuality and the effect coming out would have on their careers. Clifford advised the footballers to disguise their sexuality because football, as he put it, “remains in the dark ages, steeped in homophobia.” What are your views on this?

 

I think there's an element of truth to it. I think that the majority of football fans, like the majority of British society, are quite accepting of homosexuality, but there's pretty clearly a section who aren't. Personally, I don't think advice like Clifford's is helpful, because I don't think the Football Association are going to do anything serious about homophobia in football until they're forced to. A homosexual footballer coming out would force them to address that and combat homophobia in football as they've done in the past with racism. I can understand why homosexual footballers would be unwilling to come out, it certainly wouldn't make things easier for them, but I think someone taking that difficult step would really help to combat homophobia within the game. I don't think football is in the dark ages and I don't think it's steeped in homophobia, but clearly a proportion of football fans are homophobic, that needs to be addressed and as far as I'm concerned a player coming out can only speed that process up.

2. Suppose a gay footballer comes out. What do you think the reaction would be? (a) from fans; (b) from other players © from coaches and managers? 

 

a) Support from almost all of the fans who support the club the player plays for, a great deal of support from other fans of British clubs, and abuse from the section of idiots that exist at every club. I'm sure there would be some fairly offensive mass chanting from opposition fans, especially rival clubs. But I think generally they'd get a lot of support.

 

b) I imagine it would be a fairly mixed response, but I don't see it causing major issues. I think basically all of their team mates would be very supportive on the face of it. Maybe some opposition players using it to try and rile the homosexual player up, and maybe we'd see another Fowler/Le Saux type incident. I think generally footballers would be supportive. I imagine quite a few know they have homosexual team mates anyway *shrugs*

c) I don't know to be honest, it depends entirely on the coach/manager. I'd like to think the attitude of most have changed since the days of Brian Clough etc. But then you look at the Malky MacKay incident and it makes you wonder. I'm certain that a homosexual player could easily find a team with a very supportive manager and coaching team.
 

3. Which reflects your own opinion most accurately: 

(a) Football has no place for gay players 
(b) Football has no place for people who hate or abuse gay players
Will you explain your reasons? 

I think they're obvious to be honest. Homosexuality causes no harm to anyone, ergo anyone abusing someone for being homosexual is just an idiot frankly. I mean a slightly lesser issue is they're damaging the reputation of the game I love, but there's no place for homophobia in the world generally, and if football can be used to challenge it then great.

Optional Questions:
4. Are you male or female? Male
5. How old are you: 19
6. What country do you live in? England
7. What club do you support? Leicester
8. Are you a:
FAN 
PRO PLAYER 
COACH/MANAGER

 

Edit: With regards to Xen's point, I'm heterosexual and unsure about my romantic orientation.

[Guest Bilo]

Are you talking about English football or more broadly? If a gay footballer came out in England, it would be tolerated. If a gay footballer came out in Iran, he would literally be hung, drawn and quartered. Some context would help...

 

[Guest MattP]

You'd get a better response if you use one of those online surveys and post the link

This.

You aren't going to get anything but positive replies if it's not anonymous in this day and age where certain opinions are deemed unacceptable to be publicly aired.

[Mark_w]

This.

You aren't going to get anything but positive replies if it's not anonymous in this day and age where certain opinions are deemed unacceptable to be publicly aired.

I'm not sure that's the case Matt, we've had plenty of debates on here about homosexuality where people have aired views that many would consider unacceptable. If you had a controversial opinion on a subject like this I'm sure you wouldn't be afraid to air it and I think the same applies to many others.

It's difficult to criticise without knowing what he's looking to do with this research. For all you know it could be testing that theory, asking on some forums like this and on others through the use of online survey sites to see if football fans are indeed more likely to air homophobic views if they have that extra level of anonymity. Probably isn't, but I think that'd be interesting to look at. Based on my experiences on here plenty of people aren't afraid of voicing 'unacceptable' opinions.

[Guest MattP]

I don't think anyone on here would openly admit that they believed that there is no place in football for gays if they believed that.

I think they might in an anonymous survey.

[Mark_w]

I don't think anyone on here would openly admit that they believed that there is no place in football for gays if they believed that.

I think they might in an anonymous survey.

 

DT posts about homosexuality being 'f***ing disgusting' in basically every thread we have on the subject. Even slightly more serious posters post some stuff that I personally find horrendus (Fox92 if memory serves me correct - sorry if not - posts a lot of clearly homophobic stuff as do many others). Now I think that suggests that,

 

a) There are people on this forum who would be quite willing to openly admit they don't want homosexuals in professional football.

b) As none of those posts have been removed from the forum, they aren't 'unacceptable' by the standards of the Foxes Talk administrators. They may not be popular views but no one is stopping anyone from posting them.

 

In reality it's not about homophobic posts being unacceptable, it's about people worrying about being judged for their views. And I don't see how that is any different to me posting my dissaproval of homophobia. I know that a lot of people who are homophobic are going to judge me negatively for what I post just as I'm going to judge them when they share their homophobic views. Anyone who decides not to answer this survey is not doing so because their views are unacceptable, or because they're not allowed to, they are in fact actively choosing not to. If people are afraid of sharing their views because other posters are going to judge them then they need to pluck up the courage to do so (or in terms they may be slightly more comfortable with, they need to grow a pair). If you're that convinced about your moral views then surely you shouldn't be ashamed of them whatever other people think?

It's your prerogative of course Matt, but do you mind me asking why you haven't replied to the survey?

[Webbo]

Peoples' views are a bit more complicated than for or against. If somebody doesn't want to be judged, have their views misinterpreted or have to explain their beliefs that's up to them. 

[Mark_w]

Peoples' views are a bit more complicated than for or against. If somebody doesn't want to be judged, have their views misinterpreted or have to explain their beliefs that's up to them. 

 

Fair enough, I still think it's unfair to suggest that anyone is stopping them as Matt appears to be suggesting.

[ResearchRob]

For the optional questions it'd probably be relevant to ask the sexuality of the people you're surveying, as I'm sure there'll be some differences there.

Unfortunately due to the ethics committee and this being legitimate research i am unable to ask that question, even if it is optional due to the nature of the study. 

Thank-you for your advice though 

[ResearchRob]

You'd get a better response if you use one of those online surveys and post the link

Perhaps, however the research for this particular study is aimed at football forums. Anyone who participates will remain anonymous, this study has had the permission from the ethics committee to be done and will be checked before it is handed in.  Thank-you for your advice though.

[ResearchRob]

Its fvcking disgusting and unnatural. Would hate it if a gay was down City.

This is anonymous yeah?

Yes this is anonymous. Thank-you for your reply. 

[ResearchRob]

Are we just supposed to post these in here?

 

1. PR consultant Max Clifford (see Two top gay footballers stay in closet - News & Comment - Football - The Independent

said that three top players - two bisexual and one gay - had come to him regarding fears about their sexuality and the effect coming out would have on their careers. Clifford advised the footballers to disguise their sexuality because football, as he put it, “remains in the dark ages, steeped in homophobia.” What are your views on this?

 

I think there's an element of truth to it. I think that the majority of football fans, like the majority of British society, are quite accepting of homosexuality, but there's pretty clearly a section who aren't. Personally, I don't think advice like Clifford's is helpful, because I don't think the Football Association are going to do anything serious about homophobia in football until they're forced to. A homosexual footballer coming out would force them to address that and combat homophobia in football as they've done in the past with racism. I can understand why homosexual footballers would be unwilling to come out, it certainly wouldn't make things easier for them, but I think someone taking that difficult step would really help to combat homophobia within the game. I don't think football is in the dark ages and I don't think it's steeped in homophobia, but clearly a proportion of football fans are homophobic, that needs to be addressed and as far as I'm concerned a player coming out can only speed that process up.

2. Suppose a gay footballer comes out. What do you think the reaction would be? (a) from fans; (b) from other players © from coaches and managers? 

 

a) Support from almost all of the fans who support the club the player plays for, a great deal of support from other fans of British clubs, and abuse from the section of idiots that exist at every club. I'm sure there would be some fairly offensive mass chanting from opposition fans, especially rival clubs. But I think generally they'd get a lot of support.

 

b) I imagine it would be a fairly mixed response, but I don't see it causing major issues. I think basically all of their team mates would be very supportive on the face of it. Maybe some opposition players using it to try and rile the homosexual player up, and maybe we'd see another Fowler/Le Saux type incident. I think generally footballers would be supportive. I imagine quite a few know they have homosexual team mates anyway *shrugs*

c) I don't know to be honest, it depends entirely on the coach/manager. I'd like to think the attitude of most have changed since the days of Brian Clough etc. But then you look at the Malky MacKay incident and it makes you wonder. I'm certain that a homosexual player could easily find a team with a very supportive manager and coaching team.

 

3. Which reflects your own opinion most accurately: 

(a) Football has no place for gay players 

(b) Football has no place for people who hate or abuse gay players

Will you explain your reasons? 

I think they're obvious to be honest. Homosexuality causes no harm to anyone, ergo anyone abusing someone for being homosexual is just an idiot frankly. I mean a slightly lesser issue is they're damaging the reputation of the game I love, but there's no place for homophobia in the world generally, and if football can be used to challenge it then great.

Optional Questions:

4. Are you male or female? Male

5. How old are you: 19

6. What country do you live in? England

7. What club do you support? Leicester

8. Are you a:

FAN 

PRO PLAYER 

COACH/MANAGER

 

Edit: With regards to Xen's point, I'm heterosexual and unsure about my romantic orientation.

Thank-you for your participation. It is very much appreciated. 

[Guest Bilo]

I don't think anyone on here would openly admit that they believed that there is no place in football for gays if they believed that.

I think they might in an anonymous survey.

 

[Guest MattP]

DT posts about homosexuality being 'f***ing disgusting' in basically every thread we have on the subject. Even slightly more serious posters post some stuff that I personally find horrendus (Fox92 if memory serves me correct - sorry if not - posts a lot of clearly homophobic stuff as do many others). Now I think that suggests that,

 

a) There are people on this forum who would be quite willing to openly admit they don't want homosexuals in professional football.

b) As none of those posts have been removed from the forum, they aren't 'unacceptable' by the standards of the Foxes Talk administrators. They may not be popular views but no one is stopping anyone from posting them.

 

In reality it's not about homophobic posts being unacceptable, it's about people worrying about being judged for their views. And I don't see how that is any different to me posting my dissaproval of homophobia. I know that a lot of people who are homophobic are going to judge me negatively for what I post just as I'm going to judge them when they share their homophobic views. Anyone who decides not to answer this survey is not doing so because their views are unacceptable, or because they're not allowed to, they are in fact actively choosing not to. If people are afraid of sharing their views because other posters are going to judge them then they need to pluck up the courage to do so (or in terms they may be slightly more comfortable with, they need to grow a pair). If you're that convinced about your moral views then surely you shouldn't be ashamed of them whatever other people think?

It's your prerogative of course Matt, but do you mind me asking why you haven't replied to the survey?

 

I have no interest in replying to it to be honest, to be quite frank I couldn't care less about it. I certainly don't remember Fox92 saying clearly homophobic things though I suppose that depends on what your definition of homophobia is, we would all have different ones.

 

Would I want a gay person in my football team? Probably not, if one were though I certainly wouldn't kick off about it or seriously be that bothered. I certainly wouldn't dream of saying football is exclusively for straight people or even think about trying to enforce my moral standing and viewpoint on anyone else though. There will and should be people in the sport who hold all different opinions on everything.

 

3. Which reflects your own opinion most accurately: 

(a) Football has no place for gay players 

(b) Football has no place for people who hate or abuse gay players

Will you explain your reasons?

 

The answer to this question for me is clearly neither.

 

Fair enough, I still think it's unfair to suggest that anyone is stopping them as Matt appears to be suggesting.

 

No one is stopping them officially - I'm saying society's views now make it virtually impossible to for people with controversial opinions to come forward and speak about them openly, we now live in a country where you and your children can get harassed and driven out of pubs on a Sunday afternoon if you say you think women should be discreet about breadfeeding, people are hardly going to queue up to publicly announce they want gays out of football are they? If they worked in the game they would lose their job for a start.

 

The same thing Trevor Phillips (former head of the CRE) was saying last week if you caught the news about his TV program called 'The truth about race'.

[Xen]

Would I want a gay person in my football team? Probably not, if one were though I certainly wouldn't kick off about it or seriously be that bothered. [..]

Out of interest, what are your reasons for not wanting a gay person in your team?