The director of a new film that depicts the struggle of a gay footballer has told Sky Sports News HQ that he hopes the movie can help change attitudes towards homophobia in the game.
Rhys Chapman is the creator of 'WONDERKID', which will be screened on Sky Sports 1 HD at 10.15pm on Friday, immediately after the live Sky Bet Championship match between Barnsley and Nottingham Forest.
This weekend, clubs and players from the Premier League, EFL and Premiership Rugby are among those who will wear Rainbow Laces in support of Stonewall's campaign fighting homophobia in sport.
Chapman says the aim of his short film is to shine light on a fiercely-debated issue in the British game, which has had no openly gay footballers playing at a professional level since Justin Fashanu came out in 1990. He believes WONDERKID can contribute to an environment in which top-level players can feel safe to come out.
"I love football and I wanted to make a film about a footballer, and this seemed like the one key issue facing football, so it was the perfect thing to build the character's struggle around," Chapman told Sky Sports News HQ.
"The reaction has been really good. I was invited to adidas in Manchester a few weeks ago, to screen it to factory workers in their distribution centre, and they loved the film. They really engaged with it as an exciting piece of football drama.
"It opened their eyes to something they weren't aware of before. That's the beauty of this film. Because we don't know who the gay footballers are, it's not something people are exposed to. Hopefully the film has shined a light on that to generate compassion.
"I don't think we are looking at a long-term thing here. I'd like to think that within two or three years, this will be a different sort of conversation.
Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler (left) lent his voice to the WONDERKID project
"But I think the motivation for many in the game is to create an environment where players do feel safe enough to come out, and the natural progression of that safe environment will see players come out."
Over 5,000 players make up the combined membership of the PFAs in England and Scotland. Any that are gay might well already be out to their team-mates but, for whatever reason, they are not out in public.
Chapman believes it is the attitudes of supporters in stadiums and on social media that need to change if players in the Premier League and beyond are to be open about their sexuality.
"I think times have changed. I don't think the dressing room would be an issue anymore," he said.
Sky Sports supports 'Rainbow Laces', the sports equality campaign
"There has to be a tremendous amount of team spirit and unity in a top level football team, and I think all clubs would embrace a gay footballer in their team.
"I think the main problem is fans on a match day and social media fuelling any fears that, if a player did come out, they'd be a target for abuse. I think that, if a player did come out, there would be an overwhelming amount of support for that player, and the game would adapt as a result.
"Lots of things are being done now and it seems things are moving in the right direction. But until we get that, we can't know for sure."
WONDERKID will be screened on Sky Sports 1 HD on Friday, November 25 at 10.15pm and again at 12.45am on Saturday.
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