Mirror journalist says 'no chance' of English footballer coming out
Daily Mirror journalist John Cross believes football has “created a dangerous taboo” around being gay and that there is “no chance” an English footballer will come out.
The Daily Mirror writer – who is seen as one of few sports journalists to speak up on the issue of homophobia in football – shares his views in an online interview with The Justin Campaign, a group which challenges gay footballing stereotypes and works to end homophobia in the sport.
Cross states: “I refuse to believe that there are no gay professional footballers. Why? Because our sport has created a dangerous taboo.
“Unless we break down barriers across the whole of society then we can’t expect football to be exempt of such taboos. Can you imagine any other part of society with thousands of people working in the business without a single openly gay employee?”
The London based correspondent and football fanatic says that he thinks the only way a player would come out in this country is if a player from abroad from Europe did it first.
He said: “I think there is far more acceptance from the rest of Europe. Far more. I think that would be the only way to introduce the issue and then maybe – just maybe – other players would follow.”
Cross says he fully supports organisations such as The Justin Campaign in the fight against homophobia and believes they are “vital in breaking down the last taboos” and “showing people that homophobia is wrong and that football is totally out of step with the rest of society.”
For the full interview please visit: thejustincampaign.com
