BBC poll reveals 82% fans are comfortable with their clubs signing gay footballers

Homophobia has been a longstanding issue in football, long before Justin Fashanu became the first professional footballer to be openly gay in the late 90s. However, things have been changing in recent times and BBC Radio 5 conducted a survey to see where the issue stands currently.

The survey, which was taken by more than 4000 people (2896 of whom were sports fans), also found:

- More sports fans (12%) would feel uncomfortable with a rival player joining their club than a gay player (8%)

- 7% of sports fans would stop watching their team if they signed a gay player

- 57% of sports fans believe gay players should come out to help others do the same

- 18% of sports fans believe gay players should "keep it to themselves"

- 15% of sports fans think having a gay player on a team would make other team-mates feel uncomfortable

- 50% of football fans say they have heard homophobic abuse, 51% have heard sexist abuse and 59% have heard racist abuse

Last week, FA Chairman Greg Clarke insisted that he would be cautious against suggesting gay footballers to come out publicly because they might have to suffer abuses from intolerant fans.

Clarke stood by his personal opinion when asked by BBC radio 5. He said, "If they want to take that risk I would respect them and support them. But we can't promise to provide them at the moment with the required protection. We need to redouble our efforts to provide that safe space."

Clarke has hoped that the issue can be resolved in the next two-three years.

Meanwhile, former EPL striker Chris Sutton has blasted Clarke for his statement. He has questioned how he can allow himself to be dictated by the “8% of cavemen”.

"This 8% shouldn't be allowed in football grounds. By not taking it on, the 8% are the winners in all of this. Greg Clarke should be taking these people on.

"It's bonkers in our society that people like this can dictate whether someone can come out or not," Sutton said.