Jill Scott: 'So sad that gay male footballers don't feel safe enough to come out'

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 22 November 2022

Former Three Lions star Jill Scott says that she feels "sad" that gay male footballers feel unable to come out.

Former Lioness Jill Scott has expressed her regret that gay players in the male game feel uncomfortable coming out.

Earlier this year, 17-year-old Blackpool player Jake Daniels broke ground and revealed that he is gay, in the process making him the lone out male pro in UK football.

In the women's game there have been multiple out players at the highest level - including Scott, who is currently taking part in ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

"I think in the men's game, it's so difficult," she told her campmates.

"If you think about how much stick they get from the chants... it's just not a safe environment where they feel safe enough to kind of do that. And that's so sad.

"But in women's football it's just never an issue. Some have partners that are female, some are married to men, yeah..."

Scott's comments come as FIFA drew criticism for banning players, including England skipper Harry Kane and Wales counterpart Gareth Bale, from wearing 'OneLove' rainbow armbands in support of LGBT rights at the World Cup in Qatar.

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