Tom Daley: Footballers who come out as gay ‘would be surprised by support’

Tom Daley has said that any footballer would be surprised by the support they would receive if they chose to come out as gay.

The Olympic Diver spoke at The Leaders Sports Business Summit this week in London.

He said: “I think people would be surprised how supported they’d be if they were to come out in a football environment.

“(But) you don’t have to do a YouTube video and announce that you’re straight. It shouldn’t be anyone’s business.

“You should just be able to live your life the way you want to live it.

“It comes down to each individual person. At the time I individually felt ready, I did it. Everyone’s been really supportive.”

In a five-minute YouTube video last year, the British diving bronze medallist, and star of ITV’s Smash, revealed that he had been in a relationship with a man since Spring 2013.

Daley also spoke this week at the conference about concerns of anti-gay laws in Russia.

“For me I have no concerns about going to Russia,” he said. “I’ve been there five or six times before and never had any problems.”

Last month, ex-premiership footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger said it would have been “impossible” to come out as gay during his career.

• Dec 31 2024

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