[article=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/thomas-hitzlsperger-gay-live-reaction-3000380#ixzz2po56F0g5 ]Former Premier League star Thomas Hitzlsperger has come out of the closet.
The ex-Everton, Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder becomes the first major footballer to be openly homosexual, and follows in the path of the less-famous Anton Hysen, Robbie Rogers and Justin Fashanu as footballers who have come out.
In an interview with Zeit in Germany, Der Hammer declared that he wants to begin a debate on homosexuality in sport.
"I am talking about being gay because I want to move forward the discussion about homosexuality among professional sports stars," he said, admitting that realising that he was gay was "a long and difficult process."
Hitzlsperger's brave decision has come just three months after retiring from the professional game.
The German, a veteran of 52 international caps, spent last year at Everton under David Moyes but only featured seven times due to a raft of injuries.
He told Zeit magazine that homosexuality is "simply ignored" in football.
"Homosexuality isn't a serious topic for discussion in England, Germany or Italy - at least not in the dressing room."
"It is only in the last few years I have realised I would rather live with a man," reveals Hitzlperger in his interview with Zeit - perhaps explaining why he has waited until after his career to reveal his sexuality.
Interestingly he also discusses an interview given in summer 2012 when a gay Bundesliga footballer gave an interview under the condition of anonymity.
Asked about it he said: "I've read it and in most of the answers there isn't anything that hasn't been speculated about: He has a girlfriend for the sake of appearances, leads a double live and is scared about the reaction of fans.
"The main thing which surprised me was that he'd told his team mates - without negative repercussions. If it could carry on that way, that would be great."
When asked whether it is a theme the media ignores while at the same time being on the hunt for the first gay international, Hitzlsperger gives an interesting reply:
"It is a private matter, but when even the Chancellor [Angela Merkel] comments on it, it does seem to have some import."
Hitzlsperger then poses a counter question to Zeit: "If a player came to you asking to be outed, would you refuse? That would be a sensation!"
Frankly, you get the impression that the footballing world is just relieved that a player finally felt they could talk about this in the open.
In a 2012 Q&A that Thomas gave to Zeit, he also talked about homosexuality in football.
Asked whether coming out really would be dangerous for a player or whether the warnings are simply alarmist, Hitzlsperger replied: "I don't know, it's speculation. It probably also depends on who comes out and how.
"In either case the sporting worst case is a possibility: the end of their career. An openly gay footballer would have to be prepared for that.
"He should not let himself be guided by what other people think and say about him. On the other hand he could also become a great role model for gay sports stars and also for other people who haven't yet been able to deal with their homosexuality openly.
Talking about the potential reaction from fans he said: "Fans are very complex - you have all ages from all walks of life in stadium. That's why you can't rule any reaction out. But I think for the vast majority it probably wouldn't be a problem."[/article]
A "news" that actually should not be a news.
anton hysen official @antonhysenoffic
Just want to take a moment & say GOOD JOB Thomas Hitzlsperger!! very proud over what youve done. Extremely good for football!
John Amaechi OBE ✔ @JohnAmaechi
Congratulations to Thomas Hitzelsperger - welcome to the club!
The irony is this happened on the same day:
Julien Laurens @LaurensJulien
Alas at same time PSG's Alex says of homosexuality on French TV: God would've created not Adam and Eve but Adam and Yves (French boy's name)
The ex-Everton, Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder becomes the first major footballer to be openly homosexual, and follows in the path of the less-famous Anton Hysen, Robbie Rogers and Justin Fashanu as footballers who have come out.
In an interview with Zeit in Germany, Der Hammer declared that he wants to begin a debate on homosexuality in sport.
"I am talking about being gay because I want to move forward the discussion about homosexuality among professional sports stars," he said, admitting that realising that he was gay was "a long and difficult process."
Hitzlsperger's brave decision has come just three months after retiring from the professional game.
The German, a veteran of 52 international caps, spent last year at Everton under David Moyes but only featured seven times due to a raft of injuries.
He told Zeit magazine that homosexuality is "simply ignored" in football.
"Homosexuality isn't a serious topic for discussion in England, Germany or Italy - at least not in the dressing room."
"It is only in the last few years I have realised I would rather live with a man," reveals Hitzlperger in his interview with Zeit - perhaps explaining why he has waited until after his career to reveal his sexuality.
Interestingly he also discusses an interview given in summer 2012 when a gay Bundesliga footballer gave an interview under the condition of anonymity.
Asked about it he said: "I've read it and in most of the answers there isn't anything that hasn't been speculated about: He has a girlfriend for the sake of appearances, leads a double live and is scared about the reaction of fans.
"The main thing which surprised me was that he'd told his team mates - without negative repercussions. If it could carry on that way, that would be great."
When asked whether it is a theme the media ignores while at the same time being on the hunt for the first gay international, Hitzlsperger gives an interesting reply:
"It is a private matter, but when even the Chancellor [Angela Merkel] comments on it, it does seem to have some import."
Hitzlsperger then poses a counter question to Zeit: "If a player came to you asking to be outed, would you refuse? That would be a sensation!"
Frankly, you get the impression that the footballing world is just relieved that a player finally felt they could talk about this in the open.
In a 2012 Q&A that Thomas gave to Zeit, he also talked about homosexuality in football.
Asked whether coming out really would be dangerous for a player or whether the warnings are simply alarmist, Hitzlsperger replied: "I don't know, it's speculation. It probably also depends on who comes out and how.
"In either case the sporting worst case is a possibility: the end of their career. An openly gay footballer would have to be prepared for that.
"He should not let himself be guided by what other people think and say about him. On the other hand he could also become a great role model for gay sports stars and also for other people who haven't yet been able to deal with their homosexuality openly.
Talking about the potential reaction from fans he said: "Fans are very complex - you have all ages from all walks of life in stadium. That's why you can't rule any reaction out. But I think for the vast majority it probably wouldn't be a problem."[/article]
A "news" that actually should not be a news.
anton hysen official @antonhysenoffic
Just want to take a moment & say GOOD JOB Thomas Hitzlsperger!! very proud over what youve done. Extremely good for football!
John Amaechi OBE ✔ @JohnAmaechi
Congratulations to Thomas Hitzelsperger - welcome to the club!
The irony is this happened on the same day:
Julien Laurens @LaurensJulien
Alas at same time PSG's Alex says of homosexuality on French TV: God would've created not Adam and Eve but Adam and Yves (French boy's name)
