Besides the financial problems, the lower leagues in Germany have to face up to another challenge lying in the years ahead: a shrinking society. While the East of Germany suffered a loss in population of around 1.5m since 1989, Germany’s overall population is shrinking according to recent research results. The result is a constantly changing league system where the number of teams is varying, often declining. Read more →
Coming Out
In September 2012 a German magazine has published an interview with a supposedly homosexual footballer who asked to stay anonymous. So far, so normal. However, there are doubts that the interview took place at all but instead might have served a totally different purpose. The topic of homophobia in German football has been dealt with rather coyly in the past. When certain media declared the Nationalmannschaft as a bunch of gays in 2010 for many a line was crossed. The interview is another example that this topic is ignored by and large in German football. However, with Thomas Hitzlsperger’s announcement the topic has been brought up once more.
A Closer Look
In September 2012, fluter magazine have published an interview with a gay professional football player of Germany’s top division. The player asked to stay anonymous. He talked about playing hide and seek with the perceived homophobic public when he said that he would deny his sexuality if it ever came to light or if ever there were rumours that he was gay. He has accepted that he could not live his sexuality for the dream of playing football at a professional level. Further, all typical clichees were served: that of a girlfriend. The player answered that he has ‘best female friends’ which he goes out with in case there are occasions where he just has to be in female company. The shower situation was also touched upon in the interview. The most astonishing fact is, that all of his team mates know that he is gay and even players from other clubs seem to know about the fact.
Alarm Bells
At this point some alarm bells should have been ringing. Or at least some questions should have been raised as to the ubiquity of the players’ homosexuality. If his team mates know about it and he has asked them to stay silent, fair enough. However, there appear to be more than 100 other people knowing about this and still there have been no rumours, no allegations, nothing. This appears to be highly unlikely considering the daily football chit chat. Put the other way round, it makes the caste of professional footballers appear like a bunch of secretive people, sect-like, one is inclined to say. Also, as the player suggested, the public appear to be homophobic in his point of view as he stated that he would deny any rumours.
More questions posed than answered
Philipp K
State of the Game
In the editorial of issue 10 of The Blizzard, Jonathan Wilson wrote of football entering its 3rd age. The following are a few thoughts on that statement. Read more →
Patience Is A Virtue
Manchester United’s aura, its sense of impregnability at Old Trafford and its hold on the Premier League are fading. A third of the way into the new season, United has lost back-to-back home games, for the first time in the memory of many fans. Read more →
In Search of El Dorado
It’s almost Christmas and most of Europe’s leagues have completed the 1st half of the season. While at the top there are hardly any surprises, the bottom teams, often those promoted, have seen their hopes destroyed and the exuberance of promotion has given way to a thorough sobering. Read more →
England 3 – Hungary 6
November 25, 1953 was a watershed moment for English football, though they have had it coming. Not before and not since have England’s lack of technical ability and tactical backwardness been more exposed on as big a stage as Wembley in the game against Hungary. Read more →
Anger is a Gift?
Last month Magdeburg’s coach Andreas Petersen physically attacked his colleague by pushing him when entering the tunnel at half-time. A ban and a fee were the consequence leading to the question if anger really is a gift. Read more →
The Bubble of Happiness
The German FA (DFB) have a new old president: Wolfgang Niersbach was re-elected at the general meeting in Nuremberg. Besides this, there was a lot to talk about. Like the men’s team, the DFB missed a chance to discuss some important issues. Read more →
They called him Stan
In the early 1960s the catholic church attempted to gain new followers in the Ruhr area with the slogan, ‘No one gets past Jesus.’ The fans of Schalke 04 however, thought differently and added ‘except Stan.’ The ‘Stan’ in question would have celebrated his 70th birthday today. Read more →
The first title for Paris?
Paris St. Germain might have won the French league with 2 games in hand and with a bitter aftertaste after monday’s events. However, they were not the first Parisian team to win the French league. This award goes to one of the forerunners of PSG: Racing Club Paris. Read more →