Anders Lindegaard has today spoken out about homosexuality in football, rightly suggesting that footballers are too afraid to come out because of the treatment they would receive from the fans.
The last footballer to come out was Justin Fashanu in 1990 but it would be ridiculous to presume there haven’t been any gay footballers since then.
Lindegaard, who is in a long-term relationship with Missé Beqiri, believes that footballers would be accepting of a team mate if he told them he was gay, but the acceptance from fans would be more difficult to achieve.
“As a footballer I think first and foremost that a homosexual colleague is afraid of the reception he could get from the fans,” he said. “My impression is that the players would not have a problem accepting a homosexual. Homosexuality in football is a taboo subject. The atmosphere on the pitch and in the stands is tough. The mechanisms are primitive, and it is often expressed through a classic stereotype that a real man should be brave, strong and aggressive. And it is not the image that a football fan associates with a gay person. The problem for me is that a lot of football fans are stuck in a time of intolerance that does not deserve to be compared with modern society’s development in the last decades. While the rest of the world has been more liberal, civilised and less prejudiced, the world of football remains stuck in the past when it comes to tolerance. To turn a blind eye only indicates that one is not recognising that there is a problem. Of course there is a problem if young homosexuals, who love football, have to quit the sport because they feel excluded. That is in every way an unpleasant trend that does not belong in a modern and liberal society. Any discrimination towards people is and should be totally unacceptable, whether it is about skin colour, religion, sexuality etc. Homosexuals are in need of a hero. They are in need of someone who dares to stand up for their sexuality.”
Read Lindegaard’s view in full on this blog.
Man Utd News 24/7
Well said, Anders.
Why would it be ridiculous.I dont know anybody in my whole life who was gay and at school nobody I knew had the funny run or affected hand/eye movements some of the jokers in the entertainment world put on.Weird that
Needed to be said. Good on Anderson.
Argh… Anders.
I really like the way Lindegaard comes across, his comments are always intelligent and thoughtful. Couldn’t agree more with him on this subject matter, it’s an issue that needs to be addressed much more thoroughly by the various governing bodies, considering that a lot of what is considered to be ‘banter’ in the stands (such as idiot Chelsea fan doing monkey impressions) is highly offensive and shouldn’t have to be tolerated by players and other supporters. ‘Banter’ is something where a line needs to be drawn, as your average idiot in the stands is unaware of the stupidity that comes with many of the embarrassing comments that are expressed. It’s become a way too common phenomena in English football.
Ah, cue some of the RoM knuckledraggers showing their true colours.
Well said, Anders. Pretty appalling that sport is one of the last places in modern society that gays feel too threatened to come out.
parry good chance you did mate probably was in the closet.Growing up in Grimsby gays would never have been accepted in the groups i hung out with,mind you i grew up in a working class town in a Football,drinking culture.Don’t know your age or background mate times have just changed so much
I really don’t think it would matter anymore fans abuse players all the time anyway,i could see from a marketing point of view how it might be detrimental.its not just Football its pretty well every sport and anyone who is gay normally waits for retirement before coming out
The latest elite footballer that came out is Anton Hysén, a Swedish footballer and son of Glenn Hysén that played for Liverpool. He came out one or two years ago.
With that said, well said Anders! The world of football needs more brave and outspoken people like you.
It truly shows how far behind the older supporters, and some of the more ignorant cavemen type are in regard to homosexuality. It’s great to see a player who is truly on a world class stage to make these comments. Too bad the prejudiced group will never realize a homosexual playing football is the exact same thing as a straight man. Sexual preference should never define a person.
I think there will be a footballer coming out within the next 12 months. Maybe even before next season starts.
Well done anders for making a statement. The more players back this up the more likely it is that the knuckledtaggers will accept it.
RedCanuck just can’t say it has to do with age still plenty of younger people with prejudices.Depends were you live, background,religion etc.I live in Calgary and visit a lot of rural towns that are crammed full of rednecks.To associate age and prejudice is very narrow thinking
Good man Anders, we need more of this. Homophobia should be up there with racism in being targeted by the authorities. We should have no place for either in football.
Couldn’t agree more Wayne. That’s what i was briefly refering to in the cavemen comment, my mistake for not making the point more clearly.
Wayne.
Then they must still be in a closet because I still dont know of any and I done my military service in the sea cadets yet no one there was partial to navy cake or does that make me a knucklescraper.
Well said from Anders Lindegaard! Anders comments should lead to alot of intelligent talk, but will also likely lead to some typical outpouring of uneducated bile from the dim minded.
For me, sexual orientation should be, like religion, gender, skin color, interest in roller blading, or any non threatening, non violent activity, a choice. A choice that can be made and celebrated as part of our diversity. There will be costs to having an educated and tolerant society. But just like there are costs to smoking, and drinking, society benefits more from inclusion and fairness, then it looses by closing it’s door while some innocent kid gets defamed, excluded, or beaten.
While Anders is talking about Footballers, who make alot of money and are relatively protected as adults, make no mistake, this discussion is really about our total society. About our kids and youngsters and whether they grow up in an intellectual and inquisitive culture, or a closed, intolerant and even violent one.
Bold move from Anders. He surely didn’t have to say anything. Wonder what chants he’ll be hearing next week. Yiiiiish!
My knuckles are heavy must type!
The only problem I have with gays (here we go) is that they are allowed to share changing rooms with straights. This sounds archaic but the argument is if he doesnt fancy you then wheres the problem doest mean hes looking at your dick. The same could be said for women then, If there is a woman I dont fancy should the same argument be afforded to me should I want to use the same toilets as her. I mean for fuck sake the womens cubicles all have locks that fucking work and there isnt piss all over the place, well atleast before Im finnished.
I for one think it would be stupid to have a lezzers toilet, a gays toilet, a straight mans toilet, a straight womans toilet, a handicap toilet and a toilet for those from lesser religions that cannot use the toilets I use as I replace the door handle with a pork chop.
There Ive said my peace – fire away at me chaps, chapesses and those who havent got a clue what pants to wear.
Well said anyway Lindegaard you danish poof.
” the argument is if he doesnt fancy you then wheres the problem doest mean hes looking at your dick”
Erm … I’m not entirely sure that’s the extent of argument.
Parry lol no mate your own personnel views dictate if you’re a knucklescraper or not,just saying the gay lifestyle has only started to become open over the last 10 to 20 yrs so a good chance you’ve known someone who was gay but just didn’t know it
Goat,
Anders wasn’t talking about the changing room situation. He’s just stating the obvious. The world of football is homophobic and homosexuals playing football are scared shitless to “come out of the closet”.
The attitude towards homosexuals is terrible and that needs to change. Now, if straight guys are uncomfortable showering next to gay guys, fine. But you probably shower next to them at the gym every week and they’re not harrassing you, are they?
Well said Anders. He is fast becoming United;s new “mouthpiece” . Ha.
English football is barely ready for non-white players in 2012 so a gay player has no chance whatsoever in England, even though there are loads of them out there.
Goat you always manage to come up with totally different view to everyone don’t you
I’dnt be surprised if you said you come from another planet earth. I’m sure many folks do agree with on that note
Well said from Anders. The footballers should alls see that the vast majority of supporters will not have a problem with gay player. This is going to be a slow process, but we will get there.
Superb contribution from Anders. As others have said he is a very articulate and thoughtful young man, a credit to himself and to United (if only he’d also sort out his clearances though…)
It’s sad to see the scattering of remarks here and there on this thread which show how much anxiety there still is over the issue. Luckily all opinion surveys show that younger people really are far more tolerant than older folk, across all social classes, so the future is likely to be far more relaxed on the issue. I hope those who now get all worked up and threatened about it will eventually wiseup, it really is no big deal.
As for myself I have had numerous gay friends going back to childhood and all through my working life, plus parents who raised me not to judge people by the colour of their skin or their sex , or sexuality. I guess I was lucky as it meant I wasn’t affected too badly when I was sexually assaulted at school (by a ‘straight’ bully) and at West Ham v United in 1960. Some regulars will recall I wrote about that on this site a year or so ago. (I recall some readers thought it was by Scott and were amazed that he must be in his sixties Ha ha!)
I got my first job at the BBC in 1969 from a gay man. He was brilliant to work with and we remain friends to this day. He’s now in his 80s and in poor health, looked after by the same partner he had all those years ago. Lovely man. I have no idea if he fancied me and don’t care one way or the other.
Swedish Red
Actually my friend living in Sweden I dont go to the gym as often as I would like as it is 100% homo. I should know as Ive picked a few bars of soap in my time. Sweden is the circle jerking capital of the world my friend.
What was Swedens moto again.
If you suck a another mans dick, it doesnt neccesarily mean you are gay.
Proverb
I certainly feel Im from a different world, lol
kanchelskis
If a homo is next to me in the shower and hes not looking at my dick I will alert him to the fact that with lube you can park a buss in a mouses ear and I would drill it into him untill he understood. Im not anti gay, anti black blah blah blah as people have me made out to be on here but when I saw your knuckle dragging comment my little horn antennas perked up and I took that as On your marks, get set, GOOOOOOOOO!!!! and i run with it.
Giles Oakley
Gay man at the BBC, go on!
What’s anders wagging about now. Homosexuality in football? Pfft. Personally, couldn’t care less, as if there isn’t other shit going on. They can all go Fuck themselves for all I care. Christ. WTF is going on
*waffing.
@Goat
The knuckledraggers thing was said with some posters in mind, but not necessarily you!
[serendipitous segue]
@slim
What’s going on? What’s going on is that it’s 2012 mate. Sorry about that. If you hate it that much invent a fucking time machine and fuck off back to the 1940s.
@goat -you should be in stand-up mate.
“I for one think it would be stupid to have a lezzers toilet, a gays toilet, a straight mans toilet, a straight womans toilet, a handicap toilet and a toilet for those from lesser religions that cannot use the toilets I use as I replace the door handle with a pork chop”
Goat,
I seriously don’t know whether you’re serious or joking. If you’re joking – you’re not funny. If you’re serious… Well then I think you need a new perspective on things.
Your gym is 100% homo? Really? Even if it is 100% as you said, are you that insecure of your own sexuality that you can’t be in the same room as other gay men?
Dear me.
Fans would have a field day if one presumably from top rivals club came up and briefed about his sexuality state
Imo no player would have the balls to do so, there’s much damage that can happen on footballing front and it would literally mean the end of ones carrier, much at stake imo not only fans would have a key to have a go at one but players aswell would present unusually behavior towards one.
Too many things already that are being given special attention and support in deserves in the world to deal with not this again
kanchelskis
No need to go back anywhere. You in the other hand should go back and read properly,I think you’re confused or mistaken. I don’t hate anything so what are on about. It’s 2012?Really? Thanks for sharing Sherlock. I’m sure I can chose what to care about. This, I don’t.
“Homosexuality in football”. Puh-lease
@Fletch – sexual orientation should be, like religion, gender, skin color, interest in roller blading, or any non threatening, non violent activity, a choice.
Can you choose to be gay? is it a lifestyle choice? Anyway, It doesn’t bother me. The simple fact is that there are gay footballers up and down the length of every country and they play and anjoy football and shower and have a drink after with the rest of us and no-one knows whether they are gay, straight or anything else and I don’t give a monkey’s.
Bobby Charlton
Lesser religions? Really?
Of course there are gay footballers out there, and if any one of them who had the upright decency and bravery to stand up for who they are, I would be right behind them. Or in front of them. Which ever they prefer.
Flippant comment, sorry.
Anders has made an excellent point, equality is paramount to a civilised society, anyone who is STILL thinks they are better than any other person, for whatever reason, has always been wrong, and is STILL wrong. Apart from if the other person is a CIty supporter of course. Oh no, there I go again with the flippancy.
@slim
I don’t think I mentioned anything about lesser religions. That was Goat. (sorry goat for telling on you)
I did note the lesser religions part but I laughed anyway and I’ve read it 3 or 4 times since and laughed again. I like Goats sense of humour – just another one of myriad faults. I mightn’t agree with all the content but it’s funny. I don’t get uptight when people laugh at my own lesser religion although I do get a smidgen annoyed when people knock the Man Utd religion.
Laudable. Top lad.
Giles hi mate little confused by some of your comments,don’t see any remarks showing anxiety about gays
Bobby
My bad.
I respect him for speaking on this, he came across articulate and thoughtful. He is not the only one to have spoken on this issue, Mario Gomez also commented on homosexuality in football and the need for tolerance. I think there are quite few gay players in the league but only the teammates know. Look at Cristiano Ronaldo he is called gaynaldo and Torres is called lady boy because of their looks and they are not even gay can you imagine the abuse the player would get. If any the Manchester United players were gay I wouldn’t think less of him at all, but I can understand why they would not want to come forward. It’s more the public and the media that I feel will be more of a hindrance if anything.
Bobby – Nowt wrong with it pal as I also find Goats humour amusing most of the time. Shame on us but I DO find him funny at times!
@ Goat
Hilarious and true. Many who use the term knuckle dragger are park of the politically correct army which have destroyed many by their group thought, soft bigotry and intolerance of those who disagree with their “progressive” views.
In my opinion ,discussions on homosexuality here are as welcome as political subjects. None at all.
I’d love to slot a goal through her goal posts woof!
Anders is very well spoken – I’m impressed. Much better and more articulate than the usual “errmmmm, ummmm, you know, we got to win th mathc, ermmmm, it’s a big game, you know.”
Superbly said. I am proud to support a team who’s players can speak about these issues with commitment.
Wait… Anders has been in a long-term relationship with Messi?
@parryheid – the mincing thing is a natural thing that happens to a lot of gay people, and you will have known gay people in your lifetime, they just didn’t make it obvious (just as I don’t that I’m bi or someone else that they’re straight). It’s not some weird entertainment world thing where people have gay mannerisms.
Hats off to Anders, nice fella raising an important issue (with a fit missus).
Gay football players should just stay in the closet. Dressing room would be pretty uncomfortable otherwise. (Okay it would be different to what we football players are used to now).
bayoRed
Shall we tell the kit man to not unpack the shirts on match day just leave them in the closet. As soon as the players arrive tell them to take the shirts they need and those that stay in there can stay there.
I find your logic somewhat confusing, team talks would be a piss take and if theres a giggle eminating from the closet Sir Alex wouldnt know whether they were laughing at his accent, his tactics or whether someone had slid a goose feather up another ones japs eye. Very off putting.
I say if its important to share with each other where you shove your penis then Im all for that. I like to fuck my wife up the arse but shes a bleeder. I like to wank online, Im not a fan of bronnies but do like to masterbate on macca pacca. I masterbate into my antique vases and Ive given myself a paper cut on my todger.
Your turn!
I really don’t care what a footballer does in his spare time with his genitals as long as he doesn’t commit a crime (hurt someone etc.). I only care what he can do on the pitch, his sexuality is none of my fucking business.
That being said I agree with some comments above about politically correct police. They don’t realize that they are part of the problem, not the solution. Some of the new-age feminists groups, for example, are known for witch-hunting and overstating problems. For example, I was arguing with one of these women about how men chat up women at a nightclub, and I said as long as the guy goes away or stops if he is told to, what’s the problem? If he is harassing her, then the bouncers will chuck him. If he sexually harasses her, the police can take care of it, but we all know 99.9999% of cases nothing untoward happens at a nightclub, most men just aren’t like that. Do you know what her reply was???
She said I was a “rape culture apologist” and that I’m blinded by “male privilege” and couldn’t possibly understand.
My response… “You are FUCKING crazy!”
But ye, these groups first of all self-appoint themselves as leaders of a group in society, and while they claim they are looking for equality and social inclusion, they are actually defining themselves as a distinct group of people in society and seeking to silence the freedom of expression of others. They also seem to assume that every gay, black, female etc. person is too weak to live in a society that tolerates freedom of speech.
Now I know with football its more complicated. The pitch is the players’ office! They work and earn their living on the pitch, so when Luis Suarez repeatedly calls Patrice Evra a Negro during an argument, he does need to be reprimanded the same way a white guy at a post office would be if he called a black colleague a negro. Would be the same if a player was gay and an opponent kept calling him a faggot, Call him a bastard, twat, cunt, prick, asshole etc. all you want, but when you turn to discriminating against an aspect of who they are — particularly when such discrimination is historically linked with oppression, slavery, genocide etc. — you’ve crossed the fucking line.
The reason I never had a problem with gay people even as a teenager is I realized that a gay person must look at a person of the same sex the same way I look at a woman. They simply are gay, that’s just how it is. Even though the idea of gay sex acts is repulsive to me, I know I’m not gay so that’s normal anyway, and it’s incredibly unfair to limit homosexuality to sex anyway, it’s not just a form of sex, it’s a form of love… these people like each other like we love our girlfriends/wives…. and it deserves our recognition and respect.
It’s good to have someone like Lindagaard come out and say this – it would be even better if a more prolific player would step up and repeat it – because it is breaking down intolerance the right way. Attempting to legislate tolerance only creates problems.
Here’s a great video from the late Christopher Hitchens about freedom of speech in society…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyoOfRog1EM
Dela
My god, somebody with a brain, I’m shocked. Im gunna have to lie down now, I wont think of you. That would be gay, lol.
Eventhough linde has a point but I think football is a game of men. Yeah there is a women footy but thats different. I don’t hate gays but I feel they are not normal people. It is against nature and we should not encourage such practices. I know many will say everyone has a right to do whatever he wants but if that is against nature it should be condemned . Encouraging gayism and other such silly things is not correct. Period
Ash’s comment: http://i52.tinypic.com/2v9bs78.gif
Please excuse me while I get the popcorn…
The only gay footballer i can remember was p. Van hoydonk. Forgive the spelling its wrong but its how you would say it vineticly… Anyways he played for celtic wen i was in school i remember the shock of hearing that. But tbh every1 i knw still thought he was a fantastic player and i cant recall it effecting his game.
Ash
I love the way you think gays are not normal people but didnt bring me up with my japs squint samari or wanking on the underground stone dweller from the childrens favourite macca pacca.
Nothing wrong with you then, lol.
Belfast red
I grew up singing Gary Linekar plays with a tampax up his arse. I didnt know anything about pillow biting or scargilling (uphill miner) but I thought that was pretty gay. Didnt stop me chearing for England, I know better now, lol.
Goat.. LOL
“scargilling” Fucking quality Goat. Ha. Macca Pacca. Fuck me our lad watches that “In the Night Garden” How the hell do you know about that programme?
Sexual orientation is just another thing that the media, opposing fans, your own team-mates, and anyone else can use to destabilize a player and/or the club. Racism is still quite rampant in football despite “progress”, so why would one think that he would be treated well if he came out?
The footballing world -emphasis on world, the entirety of it- is just not ready. I admire Anders for taking a stand on the issue, but it would would take a player who was considered GREAT to come out in order to make even a smidge of difference. For some squad player to come out won’t change minds, as the real issue is the mentality that gay = weak or gay = dreaming about mens bits all day, and no average player declaring himself a homosexual is going to make a neanderthal rethink his opinion about gays. That’s the world we live in, and really, that’s sports.
King Eric
I have a young lad that was into it a while ago fella. You dont forget these things. I remember I took the boy to a toy shop and they had a giant Upsy Daisy. When he saw it he blushed and looked totally embarassed. Cute to say the least first time I ever saw him embarassed but at the same time dead proud that he had also had dreams about drilling the little brown girl. Just like daddy, lol
Goat – Ha nice one pal. Yeah we have a fucking giant “iggle piggle ” on kitchen table. Freaky bastard. Its one weird show that. They MUST have been on acid to make that up.
Oh dear, we have a goalkeeper to be proud of for his courageous speaking out against homophobia and then all the old playground prejudices come tumbling out here to spoil the effect. Neanderthal hardly does it justice.
Anders u sick in the head!!!