By Niamh Spence
JOHN FASHANU has spoken about how he struggled to cope with the fact his late brother was gay.
In a candid interview on GB News, the retired footballer denied being homophobic but admitted he “was an idiot” and suffered with a lack of understanding when his brother Justin came out in October 1990.
At the time, Justin was the first pro-footballer to openly admit he was homosexual.
He tragically took his life eight years later.
John said his daughter, Amal, who has since gone to launch the Justin Fashanu Foundation, was “paramount” in helping him see the error of his ways.
Speaking on GB News today (SATURDAY NOV 5), John said: “I think that Amal was paramount in actually making me see the light and making the changes. Because I assure you, I was an idiot.
“I honestly wouldn’t say I was homophobic. I didn’t understand. That’s the key word. Yeah, not understanding. But that’s now 30 years ago.”
Explaining why it was vital no one else took their life like Justin, he continued: “Having a family member, Justin, who was gay, really opened my eyes. You know it may be too late, in his case it too late. But, nevertheless, we have to make sure that we don’t let that situation happen again.”
The Justin Fashanu Foundation now campaigns to end homophobia in footballer and supports a number of players unable to come out publicly as gay.
The decision to award the World Cup to Qatar has led to criticism from some – including retired stars who have come out after quitting the sport.
But ex-Wimbledon striker Fashanu, 60, said he thought it would be sad if LBTQ+ fans stayed away from attending the World Cup. Instead, he said he hoped the tournament could be a chance to educate Qatar about the need to change their behaviour- like he has.
John, who is due to star in the new series of Dancing of Ice, said: “The Football Association has made it very clear that if you are going into Qatar you must abide by the rules and the regulations. But that doesn’t mean to say that if you are LGBT, you can’t go. I mean I think that would be silly.
“I’m hoping that having the World Cup in Qatar will actually educate so many people and really promote things in the right way. This is something which can be educational, educational for the Qatari people so they can better understand. So, what we’re trying to do is say, ‘Hey, come on’. We can all get on together here.”
