page_title: Homosexuality in English football
section_title: Against heterosexual players
hierarchical_section_title: Homosexuality in English football / Homophobia / Against heterosexual players
caption_attribution_description: English: football player Graeme Le Saux.
context_page_description: Homosexuality in English football has been described as a taboo subject by both players and the media. As of 2012, there are no openly gay male footballers in England's top four divisions. Some, such as Peter Clayton, who chairs the FA's "Homophobia in Football" working group, have argued that clubs prevent players from "coming out" as footballers have an increasing commercial market value which may be damaged.
  Homosexuality in England and Wales was decriminalised in 1967, leading to more liberal public attitudes. While many openly gay politicians and entertainers have remained elected and popular with little comment on their sexuality, football has not experienced the same degree of openness. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, rumours in the press, or joking between fans and players and even hostile homophobic abuse continue to feature within the game.
  In a 2009 survey, most fans said they would like to see homophobia taken out of football, that the FA were not doing enough to tackle the issue and that they would be comfortable to see a player on their team come out of the closet.
context_section_description: Graeme Le Saux, an England international left-back, endured homophobic taunts despite being married to a woman with children. The rumours allegedly began because of his "unladdish hobbies" which included antique collecting, and his university background. He later admitted he had considered quitting the game because of the abuse and the humiliation he felt. One example of the public abuse he suffered came in a Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool on 27 February 1999, Le Saux became involved in a running series of taunts with Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler. With Le Saux preparing to take a free kick, Fowler repeatedly bent over and pointed his backside in the Chelsea player's direction. Despite the obvious taunts, Le Saux, who refused to take the free kick, was booked for delay of play. Unseen by the match officials, Le Saux later struck Fowler on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area. Both were later charged with misconduct by the FA.
  In 2008, Sol Campbell received homophobic abuse from Tottenham Hotspur fans while playing for Portsmouth. Campbell is also married to a woman, and his brother was jailed for 12 months in 2005 after assaulting a classmate who suggested that the defender was gay. In 2009 a man and a boy were found guilty of shouting homophobic chants at Campbell in a match between Portsmouth and Spurs. In January 2019 Sol Campbell (who is married with three children) spoke out about homophobic abuse he had recently received. He had also been the victim of similar abuse in 2014.
caption: Due to his background and interests, some fans and players gave homophobic abuse to Graeme Le Saux
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