Abstract
This article is based on the views of 2,663 association football fans, collected via an online survey from March 2020 to April 2020, regarding the presence of homosexually-themed language at men’s professional football matches across the United Kingdom. The results indicate that whilst 95% would support a gay player at their club, 41% have heard language they interpret as malicious or toxic, while 37% believe it is not intentionally hostile and ascribe it as playful and humorous banter. The article subsequently addresses what appears to be a paradox: football fans challenge popular accusations that they are homophobic but also recognize the presence of homosexually-themed language that emphasizes heteronormativity, irrespective of how it is interpreted by other fans.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 216747952110058 |
| Pages (from-to) | 551-569 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Communication and Sport |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 21 Apr 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 May 2023 |
Keywords
- fans
- football
- homophobia
- language
- masculinity
- sexuality