I was very happy to hear that Anton Hysen felt comfortable enough to come out. However, I think that it is very telling that the he is a player in the third tier of the Swedish league. We are at least 20 years away from an openly gay player at the top tier of football, and I will tell you why I think that. 

First, let me say that I am a fan of Barcelona. Despite their constant refrain of mes que un club, I believe that any gay Barcelona player would not be supported. Despite Barcelona's somewhat sanctimonious image of being a socially responsible club, despite the fact that Spain has legalized same-sex marriage, and despite the fact that city of Barcelona itself is well known for being friendly towards gays and lesbians; Barcelona FC is a money-making corporation first, foremost, and always. This means that Barcelona has to advertise its brand to the entire world: including nations in the Middle East and Africa where homosexuality is a criminal or even a death penalty offense. If you need any proof, look no further than next year's shirt sponsors, the Qatar Foundation (imprisonment for up to 5 years). When money and principals meet, money always wins out. 

As for the first question, whether there could be a gay player in a top tier league, once again, the answer is no. A gay player would need support from his club, and from the global football establishment. Look at the problems that UEFA and FIFA have combating racism (FIFA combating it with lip service, empty gestures and UEFA somewhat more successfully.) Now ask yourself if UEFA would force a club to play before an empty home stadium because the crowd chanted "faggot" or something to the like to a gay player--which is inevitability even if those same fans then go home to their gay sons and daughters.  Look at the reaction of Sepp Blatter's blithe apathy to the concerns of gay and lesbian football fans about the World Cup being held in Qatar.  Would Mohammed Bin Hammam (a Qatari) be any more caring?        

Any gay player will always be tarred with being the gay player.  Unless he comes out only after he achieves Pele/Maradona superstar status, being gay will be what he is known for, and every reflection of his play by the media will be tinged by his being gay.  (Despite having perhaps a more liberal bent of reporters, the media as a whole cares about selling papers, and a gay player will sell.) 

Finally, top players have a host of agents, managers, image consultants, and other--both for themselves and from their teams and sponsors--who will constantly tell them to stay in the closet.  They will use scare tactics, and it would take a very brave young man constantly subjected to that negativity and fear to ignore that. 

While we are seeing more athletes come out while they play, it is generally in minor niche sports, i.e. rugby, cricket, women's basketball, tennis (although no top man in tennis has ever come out as gay). High profile international team sports--football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, and American football--are a completely different story. 

Don't get me wrong; I will gladly support a gay player no matter what team he plays for or what country he plays in--even Real Madrid.  But it is no accident that high profile gay athletes don't come out until after they retire--and then complain that their sport isn't ready for an openly gay player.

One of the big topics on the show this week was Swedish footballer Anton Hysen openly admitting his homosexuality. We challenged you to send us your comments on the topic. We chose Avi, who emailed the show and opened our eyes to outsports.com, to feature in our Kick About.

Listener Avi has been a supporter of Barcelona after being amazed at the samba feet of Ronaldinho back in 2006. He felt inclined to email in on a subject he felt passionate about. If you have a passion about a current topic in the footballing community, would like it to be featured on our Kick About and can keep it to less than 500 words email: show@worldfootballdaily.com