Patrick Bamford says “nothing should change” if a player becomes gay

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford believes an openly gay Premier League player would be embraced in the locker room – but says there is still work to be done to eradicate homophobic exploitation from the crowd.

Bamford, 28, spoke on Channel 4Football is coming out‘a documentary released on Tuesday in which he said “nothing should change” in the locker room if a teammate decided to come out gay.

There are currently no active open gay players in the Premier League.

Leeds United footballer Patrick Bamford has spoken in a new documentary for Channel 4

Bamford believes Leeds ’locker room would be fully supported if the player came out gay

Bamford shares his thoughts on how a player could emerge as an LGBTQ + and how he and his teammates might react, Bamford said, “I imagine that if someone came out gay, the player would go to the captain and believe in the captain. then all the news.

– I know in our locker room I don’t think there are too many reactions. That shouldn’t be such a big deal today.

– I would like to tell them that if they have any concerns or problems, if they need to talk to someone, I am here to talk. Don’t think everything has changed just because you’ve come out. We’re still friends. Nothing should change.

Earlier this month, Daniel Hutchings, an analyst at League Two on Stevenage, appeared, but there are no open gay players in the Premier League or Football League, and the only open gay player in any of the world’s top series is Josh Cavallo of Adelaide United.

Cavallo recently took to his Instagram page to condemn the homophobic public abuse he received in an A-league match against Melbourne Victory earlier this month.

Bamford acknowledged that all players in the upper leagues of English football who are considering becoming gay are likely to be most concerned about the reactions of fans, not teammates or coaches.

Daniel Hutchings, an analyst for the first team at League Two’s Stevenage Club, has spoken out about the difficulties of working on open homosexuality and professional football.

In a Twitter post, Hutchings appeared gay and then talked about the lack of progress within the game, as hardly any footballer had the courage to reveal that he was gay.

The Leeds striker added: “If they’re the footballers who play in the stadium, that’s probably what they’re most worried about. They’re thinking ‘are these fans going to sing stuff,’ which shouldn’t happen.”

“The problem is that there will be a few people who are drunk playing and can say things. It’s getting closer to getting these things out of the game, but it’s not quite there yet.”

Matt Morton, the player manager for Thetford Town on the East Counties League Premier Division and the speaker in the upcoming documentary, is England’s highest-rated openly gay player.

“There’s 100 percent gay men in this country’s top football,” Morton said. “They just don’t feel comfortable yet being themselves.

– There is a lot of negative in social media, it can also spread positivity and acceptance. Acceptance has removed some of the fear. It has turned completely on its head. The minority is racist, homophobic and sexist.

Former Premier League manager Ian Holloway, described in the documentary, said he would “get rid” of all players who react negatively to his teammate’s appearance as gay.

Openly gay player Josh Cavallo shouts homophobic abuse against him

Cavallo contacted Instagram and shouted public abuse after a draw with Melbourne Victory

Former Manchester City, Everton and England defender Joleon Lescott speaks in the documentary, as does former Premier League manager Ian Holloway, who thinks football is still homophobic.

Lescott feels that perceptions of gay players “have changed,” and he says the locker room would be the most supportive place if a player decided to come out gay.

Holloway, who explains he is “very proud” if any of his players come out, made it clear that any player who reacts negatively to his teammate’s output would be disqualified.

“Everyone in the group is negative about it, I would get rid of it,” he explains. “Without a doubt, because they’re not the person I want my name for.”

Football’s Coming Out will be released on All 4 and Channel 4 on YouTube from January 25, 2022.