Former footballer Urban: group coming out on May 17
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A planned group coming out as gay in professional football is set to take place on May 17, the International Day against Homophobia, the event's initiator has said.
Former German youth international Marcus Urban told broadcasters RTL that players from Germany, Austria and England planned to come out via a digital platform.
"I'm happy about the process, but is actually also a bit stirring. But I'm delighted with the trust that has been placed in me," said Urban, who is gay himself.
Urban, 53, said the offer is for athletes and club officials, regardless of their sex. He said that May 17 is the first opportunity and that coming out as part of a group is then to be possible on the 17th day of each month.
"It's no longer an issue at all whether you're homosexual or heterosexual. But in football it's still hardened. It's stayed that way. However, it is crumbling," Urban said.
Urban and his group are preparing the coming out with a campaign called Sports Free. He said in December that several clubs have made funds available or plan to do so, including Borussia Dortmund, VfB Stuttgart, Freiburg and St Pauli Hamburg.
No active footballer has come out as gay in Germany but former national team and Stuttgart player Thomas Hitzlsperger did so 10 years ago after his career.
