This summer, Aftonbladet published a long interview with Swedish national team midfielder Albin Ekdal. In the interview, Ekdal questioned the small number of openly gay players in men's football and said that the attitude towards homosexuality must change. Earlier this week, Albin Ekdal was awarded the "hetero of the year" award in the magazine QX gay gala for his work against homophobia in men's football.

- I was a little worried when I recorded this clip because, as a heteroman, I was worried about asking gay guys to come out. But of course, together we will make it fun for everyone to come out. It should be pure joy, Ekdal said in a thank you speech then.

Spoke before the European Parliament

After the price of the gay gala, yesterday it was time for a speech before a seminar in the European Parliament. Suitably, the theme of the seminar was homophobia in sports and Ekdal delivered a pre-recorded fire address to the audience.

- In an ideal world, no one would feel at ease in coming out as gay. Whether in ordinary life or in football. Unfortunately, the reality is different. In our sport, only eight players have come out as gay, an extremely small number. Many would like to come out but do not feel free to do so, Albin Ekdal begins his speech.

In the speech, the Sampdoria midfielder strongly criticized the attitudes in football.

- What kind of society are we in which a young boy cannot fulfill his dreams of becoming a football player because of his sexual orientation. Every time a youngster hangs up his shoes and stops playing because they are not accepted by the dressing room, the club, or by those around, it is a loss for the football world, says Ekdal and continues:

- Homosexuality does not define you as a human being, only who you are attracted to. We are all part of the human family and we have a shared passion, the football, says Ekdal.