UK survey on homophobia and football enters phase 2

While at the 13th Sport for All congress, Darl Schaaff met the people behind this survey, which we mentioned earlier HERE. Darl's received this feedback from the organizers:

Thanks for your valuable contribution to the survey "Gay footballers ... appreciated or unwelcome?" The response has been terrific. So much so that we're moving to Phase 2, which you'll find on the website at http://www.topfan.co.uk. Here you'll also find a summary of the findings so far, which we hope you'll find interesting. The results of the first phase of the survey will surprise a great many people, so please feel free to circulate the Phase 2 questionnaire far and wide via the social networking buttons.We are also hoping to feature on the topfan site the response of the PFA to the Phase 1 findings, so keep checking.

Ellis Cashmore/Jamie Cleland

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Highlights of phase 1:

• 93% Of fans think there is no place for homophobia in football
• 7% Think that football is no place for gays
• 60% Want gay players to “be brave” and come out, but …
• 40% Don’t want gay players to come out, mainly because it’s a private matter and straight players don’t have to declare their sexual preferences
• 90%+ Think the only thing that matters in football is how the player plays ... not his sexual preferences
• 80%+ Think Max Clifford, who said football is stuck in the “dark ages” is part of the problem not the solution
• 60%+ Disagree with Gordon Taylor’s “cowardly” decision not to support an anti-homophobia campaign.
• 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.

See the commentary on the results of phase 1 and participate in phase 2 of the survey HERE.