Robben believes that it’s totally normal so there shouldn’t be so much fuss.
Bayern Munich and former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben has relayed the opinion that most sane people are thinking concerning Thomas Hitzlsperger’s announcement that the German is gay.
The Netherlands international believes that there is nothing odd about the ex-midfielder’s coming out and therefore there is not need to have so much hype surrounding it.
“I find it quite normal,” Robben told German publication Kicker.
“He is gay, so what? I can also say, ‘Guys, I’m heterosexual.’ What is the difference? I think that’s very, very normal, it must be normal.
“We are all free, I see no problem at all. This is something human, which also has nothing to do with sports.”
Of course the 29-year-old’s comments are wholly accurate, but in a modern western society where homosexuality is largely accepted in all walks of life, sport is still somewhat stuck in the dark ages.
The only player to have ever come out whilst still playing the game is Justin Fashanu – with the former Norwich City man later taking his own life as a result of the discrimination.
Ex-Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers last year announced that the American was gay although at the time the USA international was retired, but has since returned with LA Galaxy.
It’s still widely believed that fans will persecute any player who was openly homosexual and as a result any player that is, actively hides their sexuality from the public domain – if only everyone had the same attitude as Robben.
The reaction from the football world about Hitzlesperger’s coming out.
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