Monday 21 August 2017 16:29, UK
A Select Committee report is recommending immediate and lengthy bans on supporters who display homophobic attitudes at matches.
The report, published by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, says football clubs in particular are not doing enough to counter the problem of abuse and they are being urged to take a much tougher stance.
There are calls for sportsmen who want to come out to be given more support. There are no openly gay male professionals in British football and this is partly blamed on fears over the effect coming out would have on their future careers.
The Committee has recommended stadium bans of upwards of a year in the first instance of homophobic behaviour being proven to indicate that such abuse will not be tolerated.
A zero-tolerance approach to the use of homophobic language and behaviour is recommended, with standardised sanctions across all sports, rather than the current discretionary approach left to clubs and National Governing Bodies.
The Committee was also keen to point out that such responses should not be limited to reports from match officials in professional leagues, and should filter down to younger levels of sport, for example when homophobic terms are used by parents watching their children play.
It said positive work had been undertaken in rugby where referee Nigel Owens, who revealed he was gay in 2007, was subject to "foul mouthed , racist, homophobic abuse" during a match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham.
Two fans involved in that incident were banned from the stadium for two years and ordered to pay £1,000 to a charity of Owens' choice.
But the Committee reported that homophobic attitudes in sport continue to be out of step with wider society and there was criticism of the inclusion of boxer Tyson Fury on the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year after he made a series of homophobic remarks.
There is also a recommendation that National Governing Bodies step up their anti-homophobic campaigns, giving greater funds to interventions like Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign, which it would like to see extended from a short-term commitment.
The Committee admits regrets that there is so little LGB visibility in football and has offered support and encouragement to the first player, or group of players, who feel confident enough to come out and feels they would be able to make a significant contribution to the sport.
Earlier this week, Sky Sports brought you the story of talented young footballer Adam McCabe, one referenced in the committee's report, in which he revealed the hidden crisis of confidence he suffered before making his decision to come out and the 'banter' he had to try and silence while he was still closeted.
The Committee has also called on clubs and sportswear brands to state their support for gay athletes by writing into their agreements that there will be no termination or downgrading of their deals as a result of a player coming out.
Committee chair Damian Collins MP said: "From the evidence we have received in this inquiry, we believe that there are many gay athletes who have not come out, because they are frightened of the impact this decision will have on their careers, and the lives of the people they love. That is not acceptable and should not be tolerated.
"Coming out is a personal and private decision and no sportsperson should feel under pressure or feel 'forced' to come out, but sports authorities must create an environment, in the stadium and the locker room, where players and athletes at all levels feel it is a choice they can make, and that they will be supported and accepted if they do.
"More needs to be done by the authorities to address both the overt and latent homophobia that exists within sport. Homophobic abuse in sports grounds is just as intolerable as racist behaviour and should dealt with as severely. Clubs should also look to their own internal culture, and consider whether it would appear supportive to gay athletes.
"Sports clubs are responsible for the well-being of their players: coaches and managers must make it clear that homophobic language cannot be used without comment or redress, just as they should not allow racist behaviour to go without reprimand.
"Sanctions appear to be left to the discretion of the club or governing body involved: a zero-tolerance approach to the use of all homophobic language and behaviours must be implemented with standardised sanctions across all sports. This tougher approach across the board would go some way towards sending a clear message that the issue will no longer be ignored.
"The main corporate sponsors also have a duty to assure sportspeople that they will not lose their sponsorship as a result of coming out. Major sponsors should come together to launch an initiative in the UK to make clear that, should any sportsperson wish to come out, they will have their support."
