Football referee Igor Benevenuto has claimed that a large number of players identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Back in July, the Brazilian sports official made history as the first openly gay FIFA-ranked referee.
“Soccer was for men, and since an early age I knew I was gay… there was not a more perfect place to hide my sexuality,” Benevenuto shared on the Nos Armários dos Vestiários podcast.
“I am 41, and 23 of those years have been dedicated to the whistle. Until today I’ve never been the real me. Gays are used to not being themselves.”
Shortly after his groundbreaking coming-out announcement, FIFA issued a statement to GloboEsporte in support of Benevenuto.
“FIFA welcomes and supports referee Igor Benevenuto and his decision to come out. As highlighted at other times, FIFA strongly believes that football is for everyone,” the organisation said.
“And Igor striving to be true to himself is an important moment for football in Brazil and in other countries around the world. We hope this decision will encourage others and inspire greater diversity and inclusion in the beautiful game.”
Since that fateful day, the 41-year-old has slowly opened up about his sexuality and has even alleged that there are more football individuals who identify as queer.
“Thirty to forty percent of them are homosexual or bisexual or have done something at one time with another man,” Benevenuto revealed during an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel.
“You would be surprised at just who is homosexual in this industry.”
Towards the end of the interview, Benevenuto also discussed the challenges he faced throughout his coming out journey.
“In Brazil, homosexuality is seen as an illness similar to alcoholism, which can be overcome,” he explained.
“I believed that for years. I suffered from depression and went through dark times… I don’t expect the situation to completely alter during my lifetime. But I can still be a drop in the ocean of change.”
Over the last year, an array of football players have come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
In October 2021, Josh Cavallo made LGBTQ+ history as one of the first openly gay male top-flight professional footballers.
A few months later, Blackpool FC forward Jake Daniels became Britain’s first active openly gay male professional footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990.
Here’s to hoping that more LGBTQ+ representation will enter the football sphere in the future.
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