Sorry, mate. I love your posts and any retorts by me have meant to be humorous (at best) or poignant. Sorry that I appear to have offended.

In this instance, as Becky has mentioned "Bring a pal to the Palace" was a (dreadful) promotional campaign back in the day. There was even a (dreadful) song belted out over the (equally dreadful) Selhurst Park PA system:

All power to the Palace
At home or away-ay
All power to the Palace
Bring a friend to watch us play-ay-ay!
Bring a pal to the palace today!

Edited by YT (17 May 2022 10.40pm)

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

This whole 'why does anyone need to know' stuff is past its sell by date, and just a way of getting people to shut up about their actual identity rather than 'identity politics'.

I essentially know the sexuality of most footballers to some extent on account that they often talk about or have a girlfriend of wife. That is their own declaration. It of course (unfortunately) would get more of a reaction from fans and media if a famous player said he had a boyfriend. The 'who cares' brigade often care very much, and some will throw everything possible at the teenager to portray this in the negative. On the contrary it's a decision of integrity, honesty and one that itself will make it less, not more of an issue in future for others. I appreciate that some may try to use it politically for this reason or that, but that's somewhat beyond the lads control.

If the player personally wants to get past being concerned about this, it makes sense to mentally move beyond it as an issue by just stating a fact as a fact now, rather than waiting for it to be discovered or highlighted when others (a newspaper, an expartner etc) prefer.

Also sexuality equates to who someone is both sexually and emotionally interested in. It's no more limited to 'sex' than declaring anyone elses sexuality or relationship as being soley about sex and nothing else, as if they should just never mention their entire personal life or always hide it if it's something others personally don't want to hear. Hard luck. This decision is the basis for just getting on with life as normal.

The world moves on and most move with it. It's a good thing. No point in him hiding it due to small minded types. Life's too short and he has the support of his family, which is he main thing, and sadly often lacking in those who like to control or diminish even those close to them to prop up their own insecurities. Zero allegiance types. Fair play to the lad. It'll soon be old news and he's getting ahead of inevitable headlines down the line that would've said the same thing but on their terms.

Edited by BlueJay (17 May 2022 11.19pm)

This is the problem when a team decides to make a policial statement. For starters who makes that decision the players collectively or the owners?

Either way what happens if you don't support the cause you are then placed in an intolerable position. The assumption is that if you refuse to wear the rainbow patch you must be homophobic. But why should a player be put in that position of having to explain himself. To borrow a phrase he has been outed.

Lots of people from the alphabet soup no longer support Stonewall
that doesn't make them homophobic.

If individuals want to make a statement about their views that is their business but it should be kept out of sport as much as possible.

One more point

And thus we reach the core of this madness!

The problem was, apparently, with people airing their views at football whether it be around race, homosexuality etc. etc. The position has been taken to go to the other end of the extreme now to counteract this but thus we arrive in the same place. It's one thing to say "You can't do/say x, y and z" and another entirely to say "You must now do the opposite".

There's also my long running annoyance at people, no matter how highly valued in society, that are famous for being able to 'play football', not valued for their intellect and whom are paid ridiculously to the extent they have nothing in common with your average Joe, are now apparently socio-political commentators for the rest of us? Lunacy!

Just out of interest however, haven't Everton for a number of seasons now had beer and gambling sponsors on their shirts? Has IG worn those? I can't help but kick the hornet's nest!

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

And that's why I say this Blackpool lad should steer clear of being a spokesperson. As you say they are paid to kick a ball not for their intellectual and debating skills, football is rife with hypocrisy and if this lad speaks out on gay issues he may find this pointed out.

One more point

Well my company is super-woke and we were offered rainbow lanyards but even they didn't force people to wear them.

I don't think Kouyaté or Gueyehe have criticised anyone.

Edited by Beastie (18 May 2022 10.47am)