This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
On June 16, 2020, Watford captain Troy Deeney sparked a conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in football, stating that every team has at least one gay player.
Deeney, who had previously refused to train due to coronavirus fears, encouraged athletes to be truthful about their sexuality, rather than letting stigma burden them.
He cited the late Justin Fashanu as the only openly gay player in British football history, but insisted that there are many others playing the game.
Deeney's comments were made on the BBC's Grounded with Louis Theroux podcast, where he said, "I would go on record saying that there is probably one gay or bi-person in every football team. They're there, they are 100 per cent there,"
He also expressed his belief that once one player comes out, many others will follow, saying, "If he come out and said it, I genuinely believe you would get in the first week at least 100 people that went 'me too'. Just because they don't want to be the face of it."
Australian footballer Andy Brennan made headlines in 2019 by coming out as gay, stating that it was a relief to be able to focus solely on his football.
