Former German footballer Marcus Urban claims that today’s game has gay players either having fake girlfriends or going into fake marriages to hide their sexuality. The former midfielder shared his thoughts in a new book.
Urban was featured in Rottweisselfurt in Germany’s second division in the 1980s and early 1990s, and also played for the East German youth team. He left football in 1991 and appeared in friends and family a few years later. The 54-year-old was released in 2007 and is currently an activist on the issue of diversity in sports.
A city special feature on the new book Mensch Fussballstar. This is scheduled to be released later this month.
And the German publication Bild released an exclusive excerpt prior to the book’s release. “Yes, I was Germany’s first gay footballer at the time, and when Thomas Hitzlsperger came out, it was thought to be a turning point.
“But that wasn’t really true. Thomas seemed surprised that no one actually came out any more, and that no more came out after their careers. There’s no reason to hide it anymore.”
The previous player stated: “Many gay soccer players have organized themselves in the background during that time, in groups of 20-40 people.
“But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Many are lonely wolves, they’re doing their own thing, and we don’t know much yet.
“Yes, fear still often strikes courage today. Fear is caused by losing your job and losing your reputation.
“People around players who say they shouldn’t come out should not live freely so that they can make money.”
He adds: “In the past, the media and fans were always said to blame the fact that none of them came out. Today, I think it’s the horror of the players around them and the people around them, at least in the middle of Europe.
“I think almost every media will support that, and fans honestly believe it’s no longer an issue. The club isn’t. Today, it’s about the climate inside.
“And again, within the organized gay footballers, there is a branch of business: fake girlfriends are organised, fake marriages are arranged.
“At the same time, there are institutions that set up sex meetings. They’re also making money again. But the player’s advisors sort this out partially for the client and then they get the players.”
