The 2nd Phase of the online survey GAY FOOTBALLERS ... APPRECIATED OR UNWELCOME is available. Nearly 2,000 fans, players, managers, coaches and referees have participated in the research so far, and you are invited to share your views and opinions on gay footballers and explain why you think only one top professional player in history has openly declared his homosexuality during his playing career.
A summary of the results from the first phase is already available. Some of the highlights include the following interesting data: 93% Of fans think there is no place for homophobia in football; 90%+ Think the only thing that matters in football is how the player plays ... not his sexual preferences; fans believe gay players choose not to come out to protect their commercial value, not because they fear the reaction of fans or teammates & many fans see parallels between black players in the 1970s/80s and gay players today.
The short survey is anonymous & confidential, no names are gathered. The Topfan research is coordinated by Ellis Cashmore, a professor of culture, media and sport, and Jamie Cleland, a senior lecturer in sociology at the Staffordshire University in the UK.