Obviously I meant subtle banter, banter not being something that should rely on homophobic or racist terms.
As for the macho piece - well if that's a word for chauvenism, then perhaps you're right, but it's less prevalent, so we are making progress, wouldn't you say?
I believe England and English football to have very high standards of equality.
Many countries cultures and football leagues are generation (if ever) of becoming anywhere near where we are at.
I was simply making two points. Generations of blokes that go to football matches and play in squads have grown up using terms such as “puff / faggot / queen / girl / fairy / tart” when a player pulls out of a tackle for example. I don’t think that is homophobic or sexist. Nor is using a blokes nationality or area of birth as a prefix to an insult in any way racist. Ie “you scouse bastard”. Scousers aren’t offended by being called scousers. They are proud of it. I have been called an English bastard at euro aways. That doesn’t offend me. I am proud to be English. The first homosexual to come out in the premier league will get stick. Absolutle certainty. If the “banter” remains at “you gay bastard”, he should not be offended by that. He is gay. He should be happy and proud to be gay. Why be offended by it.
The second point is the first bloke to come out will have been in this environment for many years. He’l have experienced how harsh the banter can be and will have been on both the giving and receiving end (pardon the pun). So I would expect him to want to remain part of that team. In male groups you only remain in the group if you take and receive a fair bit of ribbing.
I am speaking with a bit of experience on both sides of this. I have played decent level of football and know first hand the abuse given out by team mates, by opposition and by supporters. That will never ever change. So don’t be offended. Embrace it. If the first out of the closstter responds to ribbing by scoring and celebrating with a mincey walk and a limp wrist then all ribbing back and forth just becomes that. Ribbing. Banter.
Secondly, I have a gay lad in my group of friends. He’s fully out and accepted. He was insistent that we treat him the same. At first he wasn’t. We pussy footed around him. A bit like a mate who has just been dumped. But it didn’t take long before he started getting plenty of gay orientated abuse. But he is who he is and proud of that so doesn’t take offence.
So going back to what I originally said lets just accept that the first few footballers that come out will get stick. However “you gay bastard”….”he takes it up the arse”….grand scheme of things, are they offensive? No I don’t think so. If fans that gave that kind of stick saw the player on the street, they wouldn’t be offensive, they’d want a selfie and an autograph. Same as most in here would if they were sat next to Steven Gerard on a plane.
