But for footballers, it seems the price is to be paid in something else...
Professional footballers have refused to appear in a campaign video against homophobia because they fear being ridiculed for taking a stand against one of the sport's most stubborn taboos, The Independent has learnt. Both players and agents declined a request by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) to take part in a video which was to use high-profile players as figureheads in the association's drive against anti-gay prejudice.So, they were asked, and they declined. That's the thing about requests. You don't have to meet them...
A PFA source added: "Maybe in three, four or five years we will have more players involved. At the moment, no one wants to be the player putting their head above the parapet. It's about the right time and the right place. Players give a lot; they get so many asks. Sometimes there has to be a 'no', and this was one of them."Unfortunately, someone saw this 'offer' as the sort they shouldn't have been allowed to refuse:
As the fallout continued from the FA's decision to pull the DVD – which generated more publicity than its creators could possibly have expected – gay activist Peter Tatchell said yesterday that the association should be doing more to encourage players to speak out: "I have always argued that we should involve players in this project, but we need to make a proper, organised effort to make that happen.And if they still say 'Thanks, but no thanks...', Peter? What then?
"I have said time and time again that Lord Triesman [the FA chairman] should write a personal letter to players, underlining the value of the campaign and asking them to be a part of it together with other players."
There are some hopes at the PFA that the England national team might ultimately be the vehicle. The new England captain, Rio Ferdinand, remembered by many in gay circles for his use of the word "faggot" on a Chris Moyles radio show in 2006, was shamed into subsequently taking a more reconstructed view of homosexuality.Actually, no, he wasn't.
He was shamed into uttering in public a 'more reconstructed view of homosexuality'. No-one knows what his true feelings are.
But if anyone things that this kind of bullying and subtle moral blackmail is the way to gain acceptance, they are fools.
7 comments:
"should be doing more to encourage players to speak out"
In modern parlance, of course, encourage = compel.
The footballers were quite right not to bow to being forced to do something PC they don't believe in. It's appalling the way the gay mafia is forcing everyone to admit it's wonderful.
If gays want to do that thing, fine - their big boys and girls. But effingwell leave us out of it. It's not an issue which should involve any of us - we have important matters to deal with, like wtf is happening to the sovereignty of this country?
"they're"
Actually, they weren't asked. This became clear when the head of the players' union was interviewed on the radio yesterday.
Ah, gay footballers. Oh, yes. The fans were so good about it. Pelting Justin Fashanu with handbags? All good fun. They used up all the bananas in the first half I think. Rush goalie? Two up the back? Possibly, but don't quote me. Four in the middle and three in front, and one gone off on the pull to Heaven, wasn't it? Leather chaps for goalposts. Marvellous!
...on the day that the Great Britain Curling team spoke out in support of S+M ....
"In modern parlance, of course, encourage = compel."
Got it in one!
"It's not an issue which should involve any of us - we have important matters to deal with, like wtf is happening to the sovereignty of this country?"
I guess that doesn't sell as many papers, sadly...
"Actually, they weren't asked. This became clear when the head of the players' union was interviewed on the radio yesterday."
Really? That didn't make it into the reports I've seen since.
"All good fun. They used up all the bananas in the first half I think. "
Heh!
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