Soccer kiss causes gay stir in UK

Written by Nate Micó | 20 April 2010

An on-field kiss between two UK soccer stars has caused a massive media sensation.

Manchester Uniteds Gary Neville kissed teammate Paul Scholes square on the lips for a prolonged period of time after Scholes scored a late goal to give Manchester United a key win last Saturday.

While kisses of congratulations are pretty routine on the soccer field, especially in Europe, the Neville smooch has drawn headlines across the UK including these gems: "When mens lips meet. By kissing Paul Scholes, Gary Neville declared war on homophobia. Kiss and hell. Eternal Scholes gives United kiss of life. Kiss of life.

The Guardian reported on the kiss as a massive step towards combating homophobia in a sport that is renowned for homophobia at the highest levels.

"Neville may be married with two kids, but if this crazy, untamed, obsessional partisan feels that the only way of truly conveying his feelings is to lock lips with a bemused redhead then surely theres a broader message that could be made from it? The Manchester Pride event runs through the last 10 days of August this year. Neville should be invited as a guest of honour."

To date, homophobia in English soccer has reached the point where they cant get players to speak out against it publicly lest they be ridiculed and labelled.

Early next month almost 30 Australian AFL sportsmen and coaches will take part in the inclusion and diversity" campaign aimed at battling homophobia in sport. The campaign coincides the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17.

Brad Sewell, Neil Balme, Joel Selwood and Brownlow medallists Jimmy Bartel and Adam Goodes are among nearly dozens of participants who will be photographed holding handwritten signs calling for acceptance and understanding of homosexuals.

An attempt at a similar campaign by English soccer authorities failed earlier this year because players would not take part.

It's been an interesting week for sports. Also on the weekend, Olympic champion Daniel Kowlaski came out publicly as a gay man.

The 34 year old spoke about the pressure of being gay and an elite sport person.

"I often think that if I had had people to look up to, to read about, who were elite athletes and were easily accessible - people who had lived some of my experiences as an athlete - then it would have helped the situation. It would have made it easier. But having lived it, I do understand why so few elite athletes have come out."