GARY Neville has praised Blackpool forward Jake Daniels after he became the first UK footballer to come out as gay in 30 years.
Speaking on Sky Sports, pundit and former Manchester United player Gary Neville admired Daniels’ courage.
Neville, from Bury, said: “What he has just done takes incredible courage. We both lived in a dressing room and that would seem like the unthinkable to announce you are gay.
“I can ‘t imagine how difficult that has been. All I would say is it’s a day of great importance for Jake and his family, but also for English football. It will go down in history. It is a big, big moment for football.
“The game has not dealt with this issue well at all.
“We know that now it is something that is acceptable from a fan point of view, but it’s not yet got into the dressing room. A dressing room can be an evil place…you think about the initiation ceremonies you go through, the peer pressure and vulnerability you have.
“The way in which Jake spoke was absolutely incredible.”
A message from Jake Daniels. https://t.co/R2wEsniXKV pic.twitter.com/dcznYKtSaD
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) May 16, 2022
Jake Daniels’ decision to come out as gay was hailed as an “historic day” for English football, with England captain Harry Kane among those to pay tribute to the 17-year-old.
The Blackpool forward released a statement via his club on Monday afternoon, making him the only openly gay male professional footballer currently active in Britain.
He is the first Briton in the men’s professional game to come out publicly as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990.
Daniels’ move received widespread praise, with players, clubs and organisations from across the country and beyond saluting his courage.
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