12/08/2006
Football Officials Plan to Stop Homophobic Ashley Cole Taunts
Metropolitan police and officials from the Arsenal and Chelsea football clubs plan to exercise a zero tolerance policy on homophobic fans this weekend as the two clubs come together.
Some Arsenal fan groups have been urging supporters to bring inflatable mobile phones and fake banknotes bearing the image of footballer Ashley Cole in a tiara to this weekend's match in order to taunt Cole about rumors he is gay.
Cole won damages from British tabloids earlier this year after they printed the story suggesting that Cole had been involved in gay orgies and the use of a mobile phone figured prominently in the sexcapades. Arsenal fans, picking up on this, have apparently chosen to mock Cole based on these allegations and authorities, hoping to put an end to homophobia in professional football, will have none of it.
Towleroad has obtained a copy of the fake banknote (below)in which the Queen's image has been replaced by that of Cole. Stewards at this weekend's match plan to distribute leaflets, search suspected fans for homophobic materials, and broadcast anti-homophobic messages on the big screen.
It's great to see officials doing something about this, even though I think Cole looks pretty regal as the Queen.
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Posted 10:50 AM EST by Andy Towle in Ashley Cole, Football, Great Britain, News, Sports | Permalink
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If Cole really is gay and was open and honest about it, do you think the fans would taunt him for "being gay"?
Or is the taunt only effective because he denies the "allegations"?
Posted by: Tyler | Dec 8, 2006 11:40:13 AM
To Tyler:
Of course the fans would taunt him! Google "Justin Fashanu" and read what happened to him. He was ostracized to the point of committing suicide. Soccer fans are insane. Do you not remember the taunts they were shooting at Black players? Making gorilla noises and throwing bananas on the field? It's sickening.
Posted by: soulbrotha | Dec 8, 2006 12:10:05 PM
the italian icona gay is : ANTONELLA ELIA
www.antonellaelia.com
acctress beautiful :)
Posted by: enric | Dec 8, 2006 1:09:43 PM
I know that I've been taunted for being gay and I really am. Really--hard to believe but I am.
Posted by: Daniel | Dec 8, 2006 1:26:17 PM
In a recent survey only 36 percent of young Londoners believed gay people deserve equal rights.
They clearly believe gay people are sub-human and don't deserve respect. But I don't think gay people will be concerned because they are too busy worshipping every straight celebrity.
Posted by: Jack | Dec 8, 2006 2:13:20 PM
Good on, Arsenal and Chelsea.
My money says Ashley isn't gay and didn't participate in any gay orgies since (1)before the far-out orgie rumor there'd never been any rumors about his sexuality and (2)he's married to one of the hottest women in Britain, Cheryl Tweedy (nee Cole) from big UK band Girls Aloud. She's definitely not "beard" material and, from what I've seen of them together, they're very much in love. Contrary to what some seem to believe, not every rich, attractive straight man is waiting to burst out of the closet. Yes, no matter what Sean Cody, Corbin Fisher and Falcon video have to say on the matter, some men really ARE straight.
Posted by: Dex | Dec 8, 2006 2:41:35 PM
If Cole really is gay and was open and honest about it, do you think the fans would taunt him for "being gay"?
Or is the taunt only effective because he denies the "allegations"?
Posted by: Tyler | Dec 8, 2006 11:40:13 AM
I don't think any of that is an excuse for a bunch of people to become such vile and homophobic pricks. And I don't think we should get into a debate whether if the man is truly gay or not. That's not the point. The point is that homophobia should not be accepted anywhere period!
I applaud Arsenal and Chelsea for doing the right thing.
Posted by: anony | Dec 8, 2006 10:09:57 PM
Dex, although that is your opinion and fine, you are assuming rather a lot there. I have no idea about Cole but anybody is capable of being 'beard material' with the right money.
Stonewall says three Premiership footballers are gay (that they know about but will not go public) and cover-ups happen in football and other celeb-worship sports just the same as for acting.
Football in the UK is still overly boorish, intolerant and homophobic, as well as rascist and sexist. Women are treated to the same level of ignornace and abuse.
I have no love for the huge yob element in UK football, it's a disgrace and a reflection of ignorant lower class idiocy mostly but often the organised crime is fuelled by the middle class yobs. I hate it and I detest what football has become in the UK.
Posted by: EM | Dec 9, 2006 5:17:32 AM