Former Arsenal GK Lehmann says gay players should not come out

Former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has advised homosexual footballers not to come out, saying they would "be nuts" to do so.

Lehmann, who spent time in England, Germany and Italy throughout his career, made the statements during an interview with Sky.

ESPN FC has the details:

“Anyone doing that would be nuts,” the former Arsenal keeper said during a talk show. “You can’t foresee what would happen. You can’t advise anyone to do so -- they would no longer have fun playing football.”

Asked how he would have found it had he known Thomas Hitzlsperger -- nicknamed “Der Hammer” -- was gay during their time as teammates, Lehmann said: “Strange, I think. You shower together every day, and there are times when it would be difficult.

“But Thomas Hitzlsperger is a player who never caused anyone to think that there is something -- firstly because he is very intelligent and, secondly, because of his style of play.”

The retired shot-stopper went on to say that any openly gay player would be the victim of ridicule from fellow players, including teammates.

“I know for sure that there would have been a few players, be it opponents or others in the dressing room, who would have permanently made jokes,” Lehmann said. “It’s not like there are 25 intellectuals who discuss whether someone’s gay or not.

“Football is a man’s sport, and you don’t have to think a lot, and you also can’t control the fans in the stadiums. As a [gay player], should you have to put up with all that?”

The comments are sure to cause an uproar, especially considering the added exposure this discussion has gained in the wake of the (relatively) recent coming out of both American midfielder Robbie Rogers and the aforementioned Hitzlsperger.