Breaking the taboo of gay footballers (UK)

[theHandpuppet]

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/breaking-the-taboo-of-gay-footballers-1-3105902

Breaking the taboo of gay footballers
by PAUL FORSYTH
for The Scotsman
Published on September 22
2013

DUNDEE United’s Paul Paton took delivery of the rainbow laces, packed them in his bag and offered them to his team-mates yesterday, hoping that they would wear them in this afternoon’s league match against Motherwell. If United cannot win three points at Tannadice, maybe they can make one in the campaign against homophobia.

It remains to be seen how many United players will use them, or even if they are allowed to. It was only after a conversation on Twitter that Paton, pictured below, received the package from Paddy Power, the Irish bookmaker, which has been inviting professional players across Britain to string up their boots this weekend in colours symbolic of the international gay-pride movement.

“I’m not actually sure if the club wants us to do it because I don’t think Paddy Power went through them or the SPFL,” says Paton. “It’s just something they took upon themselves. I think some people see it as cheap advertising, but if we are allowed to wear the laces, I’ll certainly be doing it. If there are any gay footballers out there, I want them to know that they are as welcome to play the game as the rest of us. I think football’s gay-friendly.”

Despite the support of Stonewall, the gay rights charity, Paddy Power has put a few noses out of joint with its impromptu initiative, dismissed by many – including Manchester United – as a crass publicity stunt, which has bypassed the game’s authorities and perpetuated stereotypes with its tasteless slogan, “Right Behind Gay Footballers”.... (Fairly long article at link above)