20 year old Anton Hysén, a defender for the Swedish second division club Utsiktens BK has become that country’s first high profile openly gay footballer. Hysén is the son of Glenn Hysén who played as a defender for Liverpool F.C. from 1989-1992. I think that Hysén speaks for many of us when he says “It’s totally sick when you think about it. … Where the hell is everyone else?”
Precisely. It’s 2011. Who you love should have no impact on your career, no matter what you do. If you agree, please make sure to visit some of our favorite sites that campaign against homophobia in football. They’re linked to the right in our Sites We Love list, but here they are again: Red Card Homophobia and The Justin Campaign.
For more on Anton (some good articles with hot pictures!) check out the following: ONTD_Football, Homorazzi and a great (written) commentary at Nutmeg Radio. As this article in the Daily Mail reminds us, no top English footballer has come out despite the fact that athletes in other sports have. Rugby’s super hot Gareth Thomas and cricketer Steven Davies are prime examples. Kickette took on the subject with this article and insanely droolworthy picture of Gareth Thomas last September. I’d just love to see some arsehole tell Gareth that poofs can’t play rugby to his face, wouldn’t you? Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough, indeed. He’d wipe the floor with any homophobe and his teammates would back him up 100%
So congratulations, Anton, for being your out and proud self. Know that there are people all over the world who support you. And we can only hope that your brave example will inspire others to come out and have the freedom to live their lives openly as well.
Of Headbands and Heartbreak
watishistacorrespondents
Of Headbands and Heartbreak... 
Good for him! GO ANTON!!! He deserves a special shoutout on HB&HB’s twitter! *off to do that*
Hooray for Maisougio, our Twitter Goddess!
My inner Twitter Goddess salutes your inner Blog Goddess!
::curtsies::
Good for him!!!!!!!!!! I wonder who else will come out now
Me too. It would be amazing if someone in the EPL, Bundesliga or La Liga came out, but what are the chances? I wish there were a better atmosphere – more supportive – for it to happen. But that’s what groups like Red Card Homophobia and The Justin Campaign are all about. FIFA also needs to step up to the plate and do more to combat homophobia in the sport. It’s up to the fans and players to also share in creating a climate of tolerance. We need to provide a safe space for players to be able to live their lives openly. Speaking of, was that Neandrathal Joey Barton ever penalized for hurling homophobic slurs at Fernando Torres? There was a big stink about it and then the whole issue disappeared from view. That’s the sort of crap that shouldn’t be tolerated. I can’t stand that arsehole.