Football needs gay hero, says United goalie Lindegaard

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard believes football needs a gay hero to help change the attitude of some fans who he feels are stuck in a time of intolerance.

The Dane claimed it would be the reception of supporters rather than teammates which would be most likely to discourage a player from coming out as gay.u00a0

A Lindegaard

"As a footballer I think a homosexual colleague is afraid of the reception he could get from the fans," he wrote in his blog published on the Danish version of the Betfair website.

"My impression is that the players would not have a problem accepting a homosexual. Homosexuality in football is a taboo subject. The atmosphere on the pitch and in the stands is tough."