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long term bet:
ackers comes out anyone wanna take me on for v$100,000
CONTROVERSIAL star Jason Akermanis claims homosexuals in the AFL should not publicly reveal their sexuality for fear they could "break the fabric" of their club.
Rumours have been circulating around Melbourne over the past fortnight that an AFL player would publicly announce he was gay.
Two former players are also rumoured to have been offered $150,000 to be the first to publicly come out as gay.
In his column for Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper today, Western Bulldogs midfielder Akermanis said while he supported initiatives that combat prejudice against homosexuality, he did not believe the world of AFL footy was ready for it yet.
"Imagine the publicity associated with a current player admitting he's gay. It would be international news and could break the fabric of a club," he said.
"Football clubs are very different environments. Locker-room nudity is an everyday part of our lives and unlike any other workplace. I believe it would cause discomfort in that environment should someone declare himself gay."
Akermanis argued men's sport was "way behind when it comes to acceptance" and claimed to be worried about the effect coming out would have on a player.
"If you thought suicide was bad among young men, it is four to six times higher for people who are attracted to the same sex," he said.
"It clearly can be a difficult and lonely road, one that hopefully can be made easier.
"Now try being the first AFL player to come out. That is too big a burden for any player."
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/foo...-1225869025810