Thomas Hitzlsperger sheds light on dressing room challenges and lack of unity in men's football for gay players

Former professional footballer and advocate for diversity in sport Thomas Hitzlsperger has said the dressing room is the main reason as to why more male professional footballers have not come out. “It’s not the media, it’s not the fans, it’s the dressing room,” Hitzlsperger said, who received the Football Business' Global Ambassador Award on Friday evening for his work in promoting diversity within the German Football Association (DFB). Ad “You can unsettle a dressing room,” he told The Times in an interview.

“If you come out as gay, you’re the centre of attention. All the media would go to the training ground and want to interview the player and his team-mates. Football'My hope for improvement is limited' — Hitzlsperger does not envision change in Qatar15/11/2021 AT 13:56 “Let’s say you’re not a key player, but suddenly you are the most prominent player in that squad.

It can change the atmosphere, can’t it?" Hitzlsperger, who came out after his retirement, recognises that societal norms surrounding masculinity have contributed to the slower progress in the men's game. “It’s not an issue in the women’s game which is great. But in the men’s game, it is.

It is one thing to say, ‘I accept you are gay or lesbian,’ and another thing to say, ‘You’re gay, but I have to get changed next to you every day; we have to shower with each other.’ It’s different. I’ve heard players say they would be very uncomfortable. What if a player just waits until you finish showering and then he comes in, just avoids you.