John Fashanu ‘struggled to understand’ that his late brother Justin was gay – Daily Mail
John Fashanu has spoken about how he struggled to cope with the fact his late brother was gay.
In a candid interview on GB News, the retired footballer, 60, denied being homophobic but admitted he ‘was an idiot’ and suffered with a lack of understanding when his brother Justin came out in October 1990.
At the time, Justin was the first pro-footballer to openly admit he was homosexual. He tragically took his life eight years later.
Having his say: John Fashanu has spoken about how he struggled to cope with the fact his late brother was gay
John said his daughter, Amal, who has since launched the Justin Fashanu Foundation, was ‘paramount’ in helping him see the error of his ways.
Speaking on GB News on Saturday, John said: ‘I think that Amal was paramount in actually making me see the light and making the changes. Because I assure you, I was an idiot.
‘I honestly wouldn’t say I was homophobic. I didn’t understand. That’s the key word. Yeah, not understanding. But that’s now 30 years ago.’
Upsetting: Justin was the first pro-footballer to openly admit he was homosexual. He tragically took his life eight years later (pictured in 1981 in his Norwich kit)
Explaining why it he feels it vital no one else takes their life like Justin, he continued: ‘Having a family member, Justin, who was gay, really opened my eyes.
‘You know it may be too late, in his case it’s too late. But, nevertheless, we have to make sure that we don’t let that situation happen again.’
The Justin Fashanu Foundation now campaigns to end homophobia in football and supports a number of players unable to come out publicly as gay.
Amal was just 10 when her uncle took his own life in 1998, aged 37. Earlier this year, she proudly accepted his Hall of Fame award.
Honest: In a candid interview on GB News, the retired footballer, 60, denied being homophobic but admitted he ‘was an idiot’ and suffered with a lack of understanding when his brother Justin came out in October 1990
‘Justin was an incredible person with a very big heart,’ she said.
‘If he was still alive now people would be able to see that. He accepted everyone as they were, it was all about love – I miss that a lot.
‘He was the one person who taught me as a kid how to love, and how to love without judging.’
The decision to award the World Cup to Qatar has led to criticism from some – including retired stars who have come out after quitting the sport.
Education: John said his daughter, Amal, who has since gone to launch the Justin Fashanu Foundation, was ‘paramount’ in helping him see the error of his ways (John and Justin pictured as kids)
But ex-Wimbledon striker Fashanu, 60, said he thought it would be sad if LGBTQI+ fans stayed away from attending the World Cup.
Instead, he said he hoped the tournament could be a chance to educate Qatar about the need to change their behaviour – like he has.
John, who is due to star in the new series of Dancing of Ice, said: ‘The Football Association has made it very clear that if you are going into Qatar you must abide by the rules and the regulations.
‘But that doesn’t mean to say that if you are LGBT, you can’t go. I mean I think that would be silly.
‘I’m hoping that having the World Cup in Qatar will actually educate so many people and really promote things in the right way.
‘This is something which can be educational, educational for the Qatari people so they can better understand. So, what we’re trying to do is say, ‘Hey, come on’. We can all get on together here.’
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Family: Speaking on GB News on Saturday, John said: ‘I think that Amal (pictured together) was paramount in actually making me see the light and making the changes. Because I assure you, I was an idiot’