Arsene Wenger discusses acceptance of gay footballers

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has said that society might not be advanced enough to accept openly gay football players in the UK.

In an interview with Arsenal Magazine picked up by Gay Star News, Wenger said that while attitudes had improved over the last two decades, there is “still some improvement to make”.

“If you look at the statistics, it is completely unrealistic [that there are no gay players in the Premier League],” he said.

“You have to consider now that, in a society where you have gay marriage, why should people not come out?”

Asked to give his thoughts on former West Ham player Thomas Hitzlsperger, who came out in January this year following his retirement from his professional football in September 2013, Wenger said: “He could not come out during his career, which means we still have some progress to make in our game because he should not have had to wait until the end.

“But overall he should not have to come out at all because it should just be considered like anything else.”

When questioned about why Hitzlsperger felt he couldn’t come out during his career, the 64-year-old replied: “Maybe our society isn’t advanced enough to consider that.

“He could have been ostracized. I think on that front, society has moved forward in the last 15 or 20 years, but there’s still some improvement to make.”

The Frenchman continued to say: “I’m very proud that Arsenal always fights against these discriminations. Arsenal are recognised and respected for two things – a respect of tradition and the club always tries to move forward. I think these kind of things show that we can do both.”

Arsène Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal FC since 1996, and has since become the club’s longest-serving manager and most successful in terms of titles won.

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