Thomas Hitzlsperger on the reasons why football players don't come out as gay

• Sports

Thomas Hitzlsperger is one of the few football players who has publicly come out as gay. It was news in all the media, and a few years later, this German football player discovered the reason why many football players do not do the same.

“It’s not the media, it’s not the fans, it’s the dressing room,” Hitzlsperger said, as quoted by eurosport.com After him, a few other football players did the same, but it is assumed that there are many gay football players who do not want to open up about it publicly because of their reputation, but also for many other reasons.

“You can unsettle a dressing room,” he told The Times. “If you come out as gay, you’re the centre of attention. All the media would go to the training ground and want to interview the player and his team-mates."

Consequences

There are many consequences that can arise if you decide to make such a move.

Nevertheless, some decided to show courage and, regardless of everything, publicly reveal their sexual orientation. “Let’s say you’re not a key player, but suddenly you are the most prominent player in that squad.

It can change the atmosphere, can’t it?" Thomas listed several problems that can arise if you come out as gay during your football career. That's why he decided to talk about it only after he retired. “It’s not an issue in the women’s game which is great.

But in the men’s game, it is. It is one thing to say, ‘I accept you are gay or lesbian,’ and another thing to say, ‘You’re gay, but I have to get changed next to you every day; we have to shower with each other.’ It’s different.

I’ve heard players say they would be very uncomfortable. What if a player just waits until you finish showering and then he comes in, just avoids you. You don’t want that, do you?”