UK Football has been branded as “institutionally homophobic”, after a report from gay rights group Stonewall found that 7 out of 10 fans have heard homophobic abuse directed at players during a game.
The survey of more than 2,000 football supporters also identified that over half of fans feel that authorities don’t do enough to tackle homophobia in the sport, whilst 64% of those questioned say they do want to see an end to the anti-gay abuse.
The findings also revealed that 85% supported the action taken by police against fans who directed homophobic and racist abuse at Portsmouth’s Sol Campbell in October 2008, and two thirds of supporters would feel comfortable if a player on their team came out.
Some 98 per cent of fans said they believe there are gay players in professional football with more than 60per cent of blaming homophobic abuse as the reason why gay players would choose to stay in the closet to their team mates and fans.
However, while 61 per cent believe there is less racist abuse in football today than 20 years ago, only 31per cent believe there is less homophobic abuse now than compared to 1989.
In response to the figures, Stonewall argues that clear leadership is needed from the FA and from clubs to tackle the problem with recommendations put forward including implementing sanctions against fans who use homophobic language during games.
Former England star Graham Le Saux, who was repeatedly taunted after rumours wrongly labelled him as being gay, told BBC News: “The homophobic taunting and bullying left me close to walking away from football.
“I went through times that were like depression.”
Chris Basiurski, chair of the Gay Football Supporters’ Network (GFSN) has welcomed the report.
He said: “We are not surprised by these findings and welcome the clear message that the report sends, that homophobia is a problem in football and more needs to be done to tackle it.
“Our own experiences show that many in the football world are in denial over the problem and have been unwilling to help us in our campaigns.
“When we have approached the clubs, many have commented that homophobia is not a problem in their club. Hopefully the findings in this report will make them think again.”