The announcement will date.
The young player from Blackpool (English D2) Jake Daniels, aged 17, came out on Monday through a press release.
He becomes the first active British professional footballer to do so.
“This season has been fantastic for me on the pitch.
I made my first pro match, scored 30 goals with the reserve, signed my first pro contract, ”said the player on his club's website in the preamble.
“But off the pitch, I hid who I really am.
I have known all my life that I was gay and I feel that I am now ready to come out and be myself,” he continued.
"Being gay, bi or queer is still a taboo in men's football," said the young player in an interview with Sky Sport.
toxic masculinity
"I think it's because a lot of footballers want to be recognized for their manliness.
And people see being gay as a weakness, something you can be provoked with on the pitch,” he continued.
“But as I see it, I play football and (the spectators) can yell things at me, but they pay to see me play and I earn my living that way.
So that they shout what they want, it will change absolutely nothing, ”retorted the young man again.
wave of sympathy
Daniels' announcement was met with an outpouring of messages of sympathy from across English football.
“You are an inspiration to us all, Jake,” wrote the Leicester club on its Twitter account, for example.
"Football is a sport for all, with diversity at its core, and this is a huge step in the right direction as we try to create a truly inclusive sport that we will all be proud of," added the FA. .
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