Greg Clarke, the chairman of the English Football Association (FA) has said he would be “amazed” if there were no gay players in the Premier League and is “ashamed” that none appear to feel safe to come out.
He said that homophobia in football was “disgusting”, but admitted that as the FA had not managed to rid the game of it. He said he could not blame players for wanting to keep their sexuality private.
“Before we encourage people to come out, we must provide the safe space,” he told the Commons culture, media and sport committee.
Clarke told MPs he wanted to see “abhorrent” homophobia “driven from the game”.
Asked what the reaction a player would receive from some supporters if they came out, Clarke said: “I think there would be significant abuse.”