Fans, homophobia and masculinities in association football: evidence of a more inclusive environment

This article draws on 3,500 responses from fans and professionals involved in association football (soccer) to an anonymous online survey posted from June 2010 to October 2010 regarding their views towards gay footballers. The overall findings are that, contrary to assumptions of homophobia, there i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The British journal of sociology 2012-06, Vol.63 (2), p.370-387
Main Authors: Cashmore, Ellis, Cleland, Jamie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Analysis
Athletes
Attitude
Clubs
Culture
Data Collection
fans
Female
Football
Hegemonic masculinity
Homophobia
Homosexuality
Homosexuality, Male - psychology
Humans
inclusive masculinity
Internet
Male
Masculinity
Middle Aged
Organizational Culture
Organizations
Prejudice
Professional soccer
Secrecy
Soccer - psychology
Sociology
Sociology of sport
Sports
Studies
Surveys
United Kingdom
Young Adult
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Summary:This article draws on 3,500 responses from fans and professionals involved in association football (soccer) to an anonymous online survey posted from June 2010 to October 2010 regarding their views towards gay footballers. The overall findings are that, contrary to assumptions of homophobia, there is evidence of rapidly decreasing homophobia within the culture of football fandom. The results advance inclusive masculinity theory with 93 per cent of fans of all ages stating that there is no place for homophobia within football. Fans blame agents and clubs for the lack of openness and challenge football's governing organizations to oppose the culture of secrecy surrounding gay players and to provide a more inclusive environment to support players who want to come out.
ISSN:0007-1315
1468-4446
1468-4446
DOI:10.1111/j.1468-4446.2012.01414.x