On Friday, a highly anticipated coming out of professional footballers is planned, with some even hinting at the participation of famous athletes. However, concerns about the consequences still hold back these potential participants. Initiator Marcus Urban recently toned down his expectations, calling for patience and understanding.
Despite all expectations, the topic of homosexuality in professional football remains a sensitive one, which is why the recent buzz has been nothing short of significant. The group’s coming-out announcement was scheduled for May 17, but Urban is now tempering expectations.
In an interview with “Stern”, the initiator expressed his concerns: “Active professional footballers are still hesitant”. He added that he has not had direct conversations with any of these players: “They communicate through intermediaries. These players are very careful. No one dares to go out.”
Excitement grew in November, when Urban first announced the big reveal, anticipating a barrage of gay professionals as part of the “Sports Free” campaign. However, his plans now become murky, as he says: “It’s not entirely clear what will happen on May 17.” He nevertheless claims to still be in contact with European sports figures: “But many are taking the initiative themselves. We will have to wait and see what they have planned.” May 17 is no longer a concrete date, but rather a starting point, “a starting point that players and officials can identify publicly, if you will.”
This is not Urban’s only goal, but rather he wants to “establish a framework that makes things easier for the pros.”
The Gay Sports Coalition website includes stories of openly gay individuals working in the professional sports industry, such as Thomas Hitzlsperger, a former national team player. The organization also shared a video of a TSG Hoffenheim media manager, Dirk Elbrächter, for the campaign.
Urban hopes that sports club employees will serve as role models for athletes. “It could be that employees of sports clubs become role models for athletes.” It paints a picture of hiding, in which gay players lead double lives: protecting their sexuality with fake girlfriends and secret meetings.
So far, no active footballers in Germany have come forward and the number of international examples is alarming. One such player is Czech national team member Jakub Jankto, who came out as gay last year. The fear of consequences seems too great. “Many actors have internalized the belief that they would be written out of the industry if they revealed their sexuality,” Urban says. He is a former footballer himself, who has experienced the pressures of sport.
Despite the lack of concrete confirmation of the athletes’ participation, Urban is optimistic: “Something major is happening right now.” And according to him, professional players are attentive to what is happening: “I am assured that they are following the evolution of the situation.”
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Source: www.ntv.de
