Head of Notts Sport: Tackle football homophobia at grassroots

Sport Nottinghamshire

PE teachers and grassroots coaches should get involved in tackling homophobia in football, the head of Sport Nottinghamshire has said.

Simon Starr, told Notts TV News that changes in the game could only happen if coaches and clubs helped change attitudes.

His comments come amid reports that two Premier League stars are ready to come out thanks to slowly changing attitudes towards homosexuality within the sport.

It’s sad it’s such a big deal

Mr Starr said: “I think it’s very sad that it’s such a big deal, but I think I can understand some of the pressures that the players are under.”

In the past players have been subjected to homophobic abuse both on pitch from fans and in the changing room from their fellow players.

Mr Starr said: “The reaction from opposition fans, which is a very small minority will sadly use that as a way of trying to niggle the player and affect their performance on the pitch – I think that’s one of the key reasons why we don’t hear of as many players coming out as there have been.

“There shouldn’t be people not wanting to go into team sports because of the homophobia that exists out there.”

Sport Nottinghamshire is the body responsible for overseeing the development of sport and more active lifestyles in the city and county.

Justin Fashanu was the first football player to come out in 1990, but eight years later committed suicide after receiving homophobic abuse on the pitch.

More recently former Aston Villa and Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger came out in 2014, after he had retired from the sport.

Video: Sport Nottinghamshire director Simon Starr says PE teachers and coaches can help tackle homophobia

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