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German Captain Advises Gay Players To Stay Closeted
Germany captain and Bayern Munich star Philipp Lahm has advised gay professional footballers against outing themselves despite a promise from the German Football Federation (DFB) to support gay footballers who do.
"For someone who does, it would be very difficult," said the 27-year-old defender in an interview with Bunte magazine. "An openly gay footballer would be exposed to abusive comments."
In March, the president of the German Football Federation Theo Zwanziger, in response to ongoing debate about homophobia in the sport, called for gay footballers to come out and pledged the federation's help.
"I would find it brave and would welcome it if a football player would come out," Zwanziger said at a press conference. "He would have the support of the DFB and from me."
Despite this homophobia remains rife in International football. Of the 4,000 professional footballers in England and Wales none have openly acknowledged they are gay.
Last year publicist Max Clifford revealed that he advised two high-profile gay Premiership stars to keep their sexuality secret because football "remains in the dark ages, steeped in homophobia".