Britain's leading footballers refuse to participate in an anti-homophobia campaign for fear of being taunted and ridiculed, reports The Independent.
Professional footballers have refused to appear in a campaign video against homophobia because they fear being ridiculed for taking a stand against one of the sport's most stubborn taboos, The Independent has learnt. Both players and agents declined a request by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) to take part in a video which was to use high- profile players as figureheads in the association's drive against anti-gay prejudice. The advertising agency Ogilvy, which was hired to produce the film, had advised that such involvement by well-known faces would be important if the campaign was to deliver the required impact. But instead, the FA was obliged to produce a generic "viral" anti- homophobic video – which was itself pulled earlier this week.
The FA announced the project in December 2008. David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sol Campbell—who has been relentlessly subjected to homophobic abuse—were among the big names the FA hoped would participate. All said no. Ferdinand, the current captain of the English team, has probably been the most vocal about homophobic abuse and suggested the FA should deduct points for homophobic taunts from fans. Unfortunately he also refused to appear in the video.
The UK Football Association's anti-homophobia public service announcement was supposed to launch on Thursday. It was pulled by the Association because of fears the message was "too blunt". Not exactly a profile a courage, right?
Via After Elton, watch the video and a report AFTER THE JUMP ...
Here is the BBC news report. The black footballer interviewed is Paul Elliott, who has said that at least 12 top football players are gay but are afraid to admit it ...
Some Background:
2 Arrested After Racist Taunts of Sol Campbell
4 Banned After Racist and Homophobic Taunts
2 More Banned After Racist and Homophobic Taunts
Rio Ferdinand: Deduct Points for Homophobic Fans
Campbell Taunted with Racist, Homophobic Insults
British Football Stars to Tape Anti-Homophobia Video
Kinda leaves you speechless. And all this time I thought the British footies were more progressive on sexuality.
But I doubt many American footballers would agree to appear in an anti-homophobia ad, either. Not that makes it any better!
Posted by: Talarico | 14 February 2010 at 18:00
>>The UK Football Association's anti-homophobia public service announcement was supposed to launch on Thursday. It was pulled by the Association because of fears the message was "too blunt".
And being gay bashed or verbally taunted isn't "blunt"?
Posted by: Faison | 14 February 2010 at 19:45
You're killing me with that photo.
Perfect irony for these "gay friendly" cowards. Beckham and Cristiano get all this publicity and attention from the gays and appearing in the video surely would not hurt their careers.
Posted by: King Drive | 14 February 2010 at 20:32
who would come up with this stupid idea in the first place...
its 2010 for crying out loud
Posted by: Corve DaCosta | 14 February 2010 at 20:51
"who would come up with this stupid idea in the first place...its 2010 for crying out loud"
What are you saying, its a "stupid" idea for athletes to speak out against homophobia? Or its "stupid" to think homophobia exists in sports or life?
Because in Britain there was a major case of a black footballer who was taunted and called so many anti-gay names and accused of having HIV and AIDS they had to arrest fans. (Umm, it was reported at this blog and mentioned above) And in America we had numerous athletes call fans "f_gs" and "f_ggots" when they get angry. Tim Thomas, Larry Johnson, Drew Gooden ... hello?
Sorry but the only "stupid" idea was your comment. Homophobia is very alive and well in society and especially in sports. And the fact that no athlete would participate shows they are scared of being called names, too. Sad.
Posted by: Chris Cruz | 14 February 2010 at 22:58
let's see, if the headline was "Top American Basketball Players Refuse to Appear in Anti-Homophobia Video" would we say that's a "stupid" idea. i don't think so.
Posted by: Dante | 14 February 2010 at 23:32
What a way to punk out! Its sad that they individually have had something to say or show, but now they have failed a real test of their conviction...
Sad, indeed
Posted by: CC | 15 February 2010 at 12:23