ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relationship between football, gender and sexuality in the 20th century. Particular attention is paid to the history of football and how its formal codification in 1863 occurred in the midst of the second Industrial Revolution. Next, it discusses football’s role in a culture of extreme homophobia – largely due to the emergence of the HIV epidemic. Theoretical debates – particularly Connell’s work on hegemonic masculinity and Anderson’s concept of homohysteria – are briefly explored. The chapter closes with a detailed discussion of how English football was impacted by this extreme homophobia, and specific attention is paid to Justin Fashanu, Ian Bishop, Graeme Le Saux and a range of other footballers.
