As rugby league club Castleford is handed a £40,000 record fine for the homophobic chants of its fans, a new study suggests that football supporters are far more open to gay players than previously thought.

An online survey of 2,000 supporters from Staffordshire University reveals that more than nine out of ten football fans condemn homophobia on the terraces.

The findings are likely to trigger a debate about homophobia in the beautiful game. The game's authorities have been castigated for not speaking out on the issue despite calls from gay rights groups. But it appears the authorities are also out of step with the vast majority of fans.

The survey, conducted by Ellis Cashmore and Jamie Cleland, moves to its second phase today It’s early findings suggest that 93 percent of fans express disapproval of the homophobic abuse that has crept into the game over the past decade, the other 7 percent maintaining that football has no place for homosexuals.

While 60 percent of fans think gay players should reveal their sexuality, the other 40 percent believe it is a private matter and has no bearing on their ability to play, which is, for them, all that matters.

Cashmore, who is professor of culture, media and sport, argues that, while a minority (7 percent) insist that football should be a gay-free zone, the vast majority of fans are concerned that the sport has dodged an issue that they liken to the racism that infected football in the 1970s and 1980s.

“On fan told us, ‘football lags behind the rest of society,’ while another argued the first gay player to come out would be ‘a pioneer, not an outcast,’ said Cashmore.

“Fans see parallels between the position of black players and gay players, the difference being that black players were not able to conceal their ethnicity. Many suspect that, if a leading player declared himself to be gay, this would open the way for more honesty.”

Co-researcher Dr Jamie Cleland, senior lecturer in sociology, added: “Fans are particularly critical of Professional Footballers’ Association chief Gordon Taylor, who earlier this year who failed to demand greater action in support for an anti-homophobia campaign.”
So far, only one gay footballer in history has revealed his sexuality during his career. The England international Justin Fashanu committed suicide in 1998. Other major sports, including rugby and Australian rules football, have openly gay competitors.
“Fans, players and other people connected with football are incensed by Taylor’s decision, as they are about Max Clifford’s characterisation of football as being ‘stuck in the dark ages’,” said Cashmore.

“It’s abundantly clear that most fans think that playing ability is the only thing that counts. As one of the respondents put it, ‘We’d rather have a good player who’s gay than a poor player who’s straight’.”

Responding to the view that the terraces grown aggressively homophobic in recent years, hundreds of fans pointed out that this is “stick” designed to put off opposing players. It does not, they argue, reflect hatred of homosexuality.

Cleland emphasized that, “The survey has also revealed that over half of the fans believe gay footballers keep their sexuality private is because of the media and potential damage to their commercial opportunities. One fan put it bluntly when he said players don’t want to risk their ‘brand’ by declaring their sexual preferences.”

Cashmore remarked: “Many fans think the response of other players would probably be supportive. A professional ref told us he was gay and that this had not been a problem in dealing with players in the league.”

Phase 2 of the online survey is live at www.topfan.co.uk