Which england footballer is gay

Thomas Hitzlsperger, the Premier League 's first openly gay player, has shared his thoughts on the LGBT which england footballer is gay saga which is engulfing the top flight after several footballers protested against which england footballer is gay rainbow armbands and jackets.

The German moved to the Aston Villa youth team in aged 19 and played times for the west Midlands outfit, scoring 12 goals in a productive spell at the club. The midfielder then enjoyed a five-year stint at Stuttgart before returning to England for short spells at West Ham and Evertonwhere he retired in After he called time on a fine career, Hitzlsperger came out as gay making him the most high-profile footballer to do so.

On Wednesday, devout Muslim Noussair Mazraoui declined to wear a rainbow jacket, forcing Manchester United to ditch plans for the team to wear them ahead of their clash with Arsenal. Now Hitzlsperger has opened up on the issue and suggested that those who choose to wear the symbol should be praised for doing so, in a column for the BBC.

Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy refused to wear a rainbow armband during his side's defeat by Nottingham Forest on religious grounds. He said: 'We must not be affected by any objectors or doubters, especially those in high-profile roles, not least famous footballers who like it or not have a platform.

A rejection of the armband can arguably have a negative effect on the community. The year-old suggested that the fact that he was able to come out as gay 10 years ago showed that a great deal of progress had been made on the issue in the 21st century. He clarified that the prime aim of the armbands was to promote tolerance on the issue and that he hoped Palace and Ipswich's statements that their players backed the scheme would also ring true if they had a gay player in their team.

Hitzlsperger added that some of his team-mates had made 'intimidating' remarks in the dressing room, 'maybe unwittingly', but that he had not felt he could voice concerns at the time. The German insisted that things were improving and that the focus should be on the good work of various organisations and not the actions of a handful of footballers.

Guehi had been reprimanded by the FA after first writing on his rainbow armband at the weekend. The Rainbow Laces football initiative was first launched in and sees clubs use rainbow corner flags, while captains wear rainbow armbands as well as laces, in a bid to encourage inclusion and send a message against homophobic abuse.

There was some criticism in its first year over a tie-up with betting firm Paddy Power and the slogan 'Right Behind Gay Footballers'. Rainbow-coloured laces were sent to clubs across the country, while high-profile supporters of the launch included former Manchester City and England midfielder Joey Barton and the late footballer Justin Fashanu's niece Amal Fashanu.

Former Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt has said: 'There's no point charter, or pledge that will prevent someone for shouting homophobic abuse. It needs concentrated work, careful attention and a thought-through strategy to ensure no-one is left behind. Morsy, 33, did not wear the armband for Saturday's defeat at Nottingham Forest due to his religious beliefs.

He was also spotted without the rainbow armband as the players took to the pitch for Tuesday night's clash between Ipswich and Crystal Palace at Portman Road. He has since been reprimanded by the FA. He had scribbled a message saying, 'I love Jesus' on his armband the match prior.

In light of Morsy's refusal to wear the rainbow armband on the weekend, Ipswich released a statement insisting the club 'proudly supports' the Premier League's campaign. They said: ' Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone.

Meanwhile, Guehi's father - who is a c hurch minister - has since accused the FA of double standards after Muslim player Morsy, who refused to wear the armbandwas not punished - and claimed they are pandering to the demands of the LGBT community over Christians. He told MailOnline: 'I am saying did he offend anyone?

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I don't think so. Hitzlsperger joined Villa in and played more than matches for the side. He retired from football at Everton in and came out as gay a year later. And the club planned to walk-out in a rainbow jacket prior to their clash against Everton on Sunday only for the Moroccan star to refuse.