SM
England vs. Ireland: 13 hrs 56 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Thomas Hitzlsperger: 'Long way to go for gay players'

:Headline: Thomas Hitzlsperger: 'Long way to go for gay players': ID:282059: from db_amp
Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger says that there is "a long way to go" in the fight against homophobia in football.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has said that there is still "a long way to go" in the fight against homophobia in football.

The 34-year-old came out as gay in 2014 having retired from playing a year prior, making him one of only a handful of top-level players to do so.

"There's a long way to go, it's only just started," Hitzlsperger told Sky Sports News. "It never ends. There will always be people who pick on minorities and that's why we have to continue working, not just at the highest level, but at every single level. People need to get involved and speak up if any wrongdoing is being noticed.

"Before I came out I thought about what the reaction would be and three years on I can only say I've had so many great responses from people and fans saying 'it was great what you did, it was about time somebody came out'.

"I'm surprised it hasn't happened earlier, but people argue I waited until after my career so it's fair enough. I'm trying to help people who want and need help."

Hitzlsperger's comments come as Burnley frontman Andre Gray begins a four-match suspension after he was discovered to have made a number of homophobic tweets in 2012.

amp_article__282059 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2016-09-27 13:47:21:
html db last update - 2016-09-27 13:47:21 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Thomas Hitzlsperger

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .