Amal Fashanu says football can do more to combat homophobia
Monday 21 August 2017 16:37, UK
Amal Fashanu says football is making a welcome effort to tackle the problem of homophobia, but she feels there is more work to be done.
Amal is the niece of Justin Fashanu, the UK's first openly gay footballer, who played for Norwich, Nottingham Forest and Notts County among others, before taking his own life in 1998.
And Amal told Sky Sports News HQ that football could be doing more to combat homophobia.
"I think they are doing something, I just don't think it is enough, considering the amount of money that goes into football," Amal said.
"We all know that football is so loved and so cherished, so you are thinking, there could be so many more things that we could put in place, so any footballer would feel comfortable to come out, which I don't think at the time there is."
Sky Sports has become a member of Stonewall's TeamPride coalition of brands and businesses in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign, which is raising awareness of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport.
The Premier League, English Football League, Rugby Football Union and sports clubs around Britain are hosting a Rainbow Laces takeover this weekend to show their support.
Asked what she would like to see happen in the future, Amal added: "I don't really want to go to football stadiums because I feel the tension is too rife.
"Maybe it is a case of regulating the atmosphere in the stadium, maybe it is a case of putting in place something where, if a footballer were to come out, that he would be supported by x, y and z people.
"It is a combination of things. You have to attack it at grassroots levels so kids can start understanding, and these children can grow up into adults who go to the stadium and politely cheer on their team without causing offence."
Robbie Rogers of the LA Galaxy is the lone openly gay male footballer currently playing and Fashanu thinks the culture of football makes coming out problematic.
She said: "I definitely think because of the atmosphere of football, football is a very macho sport, a very 'lads' sport, so I think it is very hard to be different within that gang.
"I think we need to start talking about it, understanding, for people to be a bit more open. Not just the fans; the managers, the clubs, I think it is a combination."
