Gary Lineker claims he knows two Premier League footballers who are gay and says it would be “amazing” if they chose to go public with their orientation during the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
There have been concerns about Qatar’s suitability to host the World Cup, which starts on November 20, since the country was awarded the right to host the tournament in 2010.
Qatar’s human rights record, including its treatment of the LGBTQ community and migrant workers, has been criticized.
Male homosexuality is punishable by prison in Qatar, while same-sex marriages are not recognized by the government.
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Lineker says he knows two professional footballers who have come “very close” to going public and believes it would send a powerful message if they chose to do so against the backdrop of the World Cup.
“It would be nice if one or two of them came out during the World Cup. It would be amazing,” Lineker first told The Mirror.
“I know for a fact that some have been very close and have thought about it. There are two players I know, but obviously it’s not up to me to say who they are.”
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Earlier this year, Blackpool striker Jake Daniels became the first active male professional footballer in the UK to come out as gay.
It came after Adelaide United player Josh Cavallo came out as gay in October last year, at the time becoming the only gay professional footballer in the world.
