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September 13, 2012

Gay German footballer fears for safety if he comes out

A top Bundesliga player has spoken anonymously about being in the closet, saying there is still 'little hope' for gay athletes to be open about their sexuality

A top German footballer has secretly come out as gay but refuses to go public because of fears for his safety.

Speaking anonymously to magazine Fluter, the Bundesliga player said: 'I would no longer be safe if my sexuality was to be made public.

'I don’t know whether I will be able to take the constant tension between the model heterosexual player and the possible discovery until the end of my career.'

January 18, 2012

Call for gay footballers to come out

Head of German Football Association calls on gay football stars to come out.

Gay footballers are being urged to come out by the head of the German Football Association.

Theo Zwanziger called on players to 'have the courage to declare themselves,' saying attitudes within football have changed in recent years, reported The Local.

The comments were made during a public discussion on sexuality in the sport in Cologne yesterday and follows star footballer Phillip Lahm's recent claims that Germany is not yet ready to accept openly gay athletes.