By Mark Baber
February 7 – A working group under the direction of sports sociologist Gunter A. Pilz is developing guidelines for the German Football Association (DFB) to help German football clubs prepare for the potential outing of a gay player.
“The DFB has formed a working group including external experts. This will prepare internal guidance so that clubs and organizations will be prepared for a possible outing and be able to provide the best assistance,” said Pilz.
The guidelines are not being prepared out of a knowledge that there are a number of players who want to come out and Pilz stressed that he knew of no players in this situation. “Whether a professional soccer player decides to come out, remains the personal decision of each individual.”
Members of the working group include the only previously outed professional footballer in Germany, Marcus Urban (pictured), as well as representatives of the German Football League (DFL).
According to Urban, the sporting world has the opportunity to show “it is not so intolerant as it is described” and the guidance will include both emotional advice and practical preparations.
Last year, Angela Merkel , the German chancellor, told gay footballers they should have no fear of revealing their homosexuality.
Uli Hoeness, Bayern President, has said it is only a matter of time before a gay footballer comes out and Theo Zwanziger, as DFB president, called for gay footballers to come out and promised the federation’s help.
“I would find it brave and would welcome it if a football player would come out,” he said in March 2012. “He would have the support of the DFB and from me.”
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