The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Evening folks!

On Monday, I shall be talking to Clarke Carlisle (Chairman of the PFA - Please forget where he is currently playing at the moment :p) about the lack of openly gay footballers as a response to the BBC3 documentary by Amal Fashanu (the niece of Justin Fashanu) a couple of weeks ago. Are they afraid of the media? Team-mates? Opposition supporters?

We will also be discussion depression. As a sufferer himself, it will be very interesting to hear his views. To some extent, we all suffered through the death of Dale.

I felt maybe some of you would have questions. If any of you have anything you would like me to ask him, then please let me know. Thanks

I have a couple of questions for him and genuine ones...

Why he did not feel the need to directly condem recent comments made by 3 footballers (Michael Ball, Ravel Morrison, Lee Steele) for making homophobic comments on twitter, yet felt the need to comment in every step of the way in the "big front page story" and seemed to appear on TV everytime I watched it with his opinions on the Luis Suarez racism case, does he not feel that this kind of attitude and lack of coverage (from all press) about the wrongs of homophobia is exactly what is keeping homophobia within football?

Also if you get a chance could you ask his opinions on the sanctions given by the FA backing up my thoughts that there is still a soft punishment for such comments?
- Lee Steele - Fined £200 and warned to future conduct
- Michael Ball - Fined £6000 and warned to future conduct
- Ravel Morrison - TBC
- Luis Suarez - Fined £40000 and banned for 8 matches
In fact players/managers have faced heavier sanctions for criticising referees or swearing at the camera!

I emailed the FA to highlight the Michael Ball case and the email that came back basically said because it was not an in match action they felt the punishment was just . They pointed out the punishment was more than what a criminal court would fine someone although apparently this kind of comparison is only logical to homophobia and not racism hence the Suarez ban and fine, it also amazes me that none of the above players suffered a suspension for their actions.

Be great to get his views on this

Thanks