It's 2014 and there are still no openly LGBT people in English football. Not a manager, a player, nor even a physio. Other sporting organisations in the traditionally more conservative United States such as the NFL and the WWE and even Rugby Union and cricket here are streets ahead of 'the beautiful game' when it comes to equality.
Homophobia is still a huge problem in English football. The FA and the 92 league clubs are, in my opinion doing little to combat anti-LGBT perceptions on the pitch and in the stands. When I corresponded with the FA, they were proud to boast of several initiatives they had backed including Opening Doors and Joining In and Football vs. Homophobia. Other than placing their name on a few programs, the visibility of the FA's work is scarce to say the least. In fact, the campaigns they allegedly support haven't had much success with England's top clubs either. Just over a quarter of the ninety-two Premier League and Football League clubs are signed up to the Football vs. Homophobia campaign.
The FA has had numerous opportunities to avow its pledge to opposing homophobia but refuses to comment on the provocative choices of Russia and Qatar for the following two World Cups. Sadly, it seems there was greater tumult in the footballing world, when it was alleged that the decision was the product of a payoff rather than the fact the bribers were from a country that incarcerates homosexuals?
The biggest problem is the non-existence of 'out' footballing personnel - and the absence of transparency. In recent years, high-profile names such as Thomas Hitzlsperger and Robbie Rogers have come out as gay. The former waited until he was retired to do so and the latter felt he'd be safer from abuse and judgement in the United States, where social conservatism is almost sacred. If that doesn't highlight the problem then I don't know what will.
Just this week Malky Mackay and Iain Moody were accused of sending homophobic texts as well as racist and sexist ones, using phrases such as 'independently minded young homo' and 'gay snake'. Imagine being a young gay footballer working under people with those views. In a truly appalling follow-up the League Manager's Association dismissed Mackay's and Moody's heinous behaviour as 'banter' and the pair 'blowing off steam'. Football doesn't take the issue seriously. Last season, footballers and managers were given the opportunity to showcase their support for LGBT people in football by supporting Paddy Power and Stonewall's Right Behind Gay Footballers rainbow laces campaign but most didn't lace up. Only one player from my club did so, which is demoralising - every player in the top six divisions received the laces for free.
It's important that fans, players and footballing bodies alike make LGBT players feel comfortable to not hide who they are. A recent poll found that 73% of English fans would accept a gay player in either their club or national team, even when we account for demand characteristics and social desirability bias; we can be nigh on certain that the majority of football fans would embrace or at least tolerate more LGBT personnel in the English game. So, we need to ask ourselves why players are still so petrified.
It's time for football to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk. It's not enough to say you're anti-homophobia but do nothing about it. The FA, the Premier League and the Football League need to introduce high visibility initiatives to make gay footballers feel safe enough to 'come out' and hopefully soon - that's the best way to rid the game of homophobia. For too long, football fans have put banter ahead of equality, shoddily made Richard Keys vines ahead of an all-encompassing environment. Seriously, it's 2014. There are more openly gay active NFL players and WWE wrestlers than there are openly gay players in English football. Our sport may be the world's best but when it comes to a Premier League for equality; football is doing a Derby County.