In recent weeks British football fans have noticed a Twitter account that claimed to be from a championship footballer who announced he would soon come out as gay.

On the eve of the a media conference where the player had declared he would reveal his identity, he has posted that he’s changed his mind and he is “not strong enough to do this.”

There has only ever been one top level British footballer to declare they are same-sex attracted.  Justin Fashanu made headlines in 1990 when he announced that he was gay. The player faced taunts from crowds after he came out. He committed suicide in 1998 following allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct.

The person behind the twitter account denied the tweets, that had appeared over the last several weeks, were a hoax. After the post they deleted the account.

“Call me all the names under the sun, belittle me and ridicule me, a lot will, and I can’t change that, but I’m not strong enough to do this. Just remember that I’ve got feelings, without coming out I can’t convince anybody otherwise, but this isn’t a hoax. I wouldn’t do that.” the anonymous person posted.

High profile footballers including former England striker Gary Lineker and Burton Albion forward Marvin Sordell had voiced support for the player coming out.

Justin Fashanu’s niece had also spoken out encouraging the player to come out.

Living a lie is just not a way to live. It’s being oppressed,” Amal Fashanu told Sky News. “If this guy is actually real, I think he’s going to pave the way for so many other footballers who might be feeling the same way.”

OIP Staff