Gary Lineker urges gay Premier League stars to come out and send message to Qatar – Leicestershire Live
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has called on gay Premier League footballers to come out and send a message to Qatar ahead of next month’s World Cup. It is a move he believes would send a strong message to a country where homosexuality is still illegal.
The Leicester City legend made the comments ahead of next month’s tournament, while the Premier League itself still has no openly gay footballers currently playing. But Gary says he knows of two who have been close to coming out, reports Mirror Online.
While not wanting to force them to come out, Gary said he believes it would be great for the game. He also believed it would raise further awareness of Qatar and its LGBTQ+ rights.
READ MORE: Sir David Attenborough unveils new portrait donated to wildlife conservation charity
Speaking to the Mirror, Gary said: “It would be great if one or two of them came out during the World Cup. It would be amazing.
“I know for a fact that some have been very close and contemplated it. There’s a couple I know, but obviously it’s not for me to say who they are.”
Homosexuality is currently punishable by a seven-year jail term in Qatar, the first Arab nation in the world to host the World Cup. However, the Muslim country’s current rights for LGBTQ+ people has led some football fans to worry about their safety.
(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
That, alongside fear, is why Gary believes players at the highest level have still not come out. He said: “Fear. Fear of the unknown, I imagine. Perhaps they are worried about what their teammates might think, although they probably already know.
“I mean, it seems insane that it should even be a thing. People say, ‘Yeah, but the crowds’ and I say, ‘Well the crowds chant anyway’.
“Any kind of abuse you take is a compliment from the opposing fans. You’re always going to get a few idiots. But it’s easy for me to say because I’m not in that position.”
In May, Blackpool’s Jake Daniels became the most-high profile footballer to come out in the UK. The 17-year-old earned plaudits from around the world following in the footsteps of Australian footballer Josh Cavallo who came out last year.
Josh has yet to receive a call-up to Australia’s senior squad, but has previously voiced concerns about playing in Qatar, claiming he would be “scared” due to the county’s rights for LGBTQ+ people. For Gary, he hoped that both Josh and Jake’s stories would have triggered a “domino effect” for players in the UK.
He said: “I was hoping, because there are lots, obviously, lots of players that are having to live a lie. I’m sure it’s very difficult.
“I always thought it’s so difficult to know unless you’re in that circumstance and you’re living through how that is. I think what we’ve seen so far is that the feedback and the response, it will be incredibly positive.”
READ NEXT: