Jarvis faces the press before England play Wales

Earlier this year Matt Jarvis bared his torso to appear on the front cover of gay magazine Attitude. The reaction that followed offered the West Ham winger a taste of what it might be like were a current footballer to come out.
There was added attention from family friends, the media, and fellow players, and Jarvis, who is happily married to wife Sarah, admits he hadn’t anticipated such a level of interest.
But he does not regret the choice. In fact, the episode has given the 26-year-old, capped once by England, a unique insight into the issue of homosexuality in football and he is able to add a confident and considered voice to the debate.

 

Stomach for a fight: Jarvis poses in a retro West Ham shirt for attitude magazine

 

Cover star: Jarvis strips for the camera

 

Jarvis poses in the February edition of attitude magazine

Jarvis can now talk about the training ground banter provoked by his cover shoot, imagine the added pressures of playing with concealed sexuality, and speculate on a time when a Premier League footballer feels secure enough to reveal he is gay.
He was this week doing so with the eyes of parliamentarians from centuries past looking down on him. It is Speaker’s House in Westminster and portraits of previous residents adorn the walls. This hub of democracy seems an apt place for such discussion.
The FA are recognising a year of their initiative ‘Opening Doors and Joining In’ – a scheme designed to make football a safe environment for gay players and fans.

 

Jarvis scores for West Ham at QPR, beating Julio Cesar with a header

‘It was a big decision,’ Jarvis concedes of the Attitude appearance. ‘If I’m completely honest I didn’t think it would get as much exposure as it did. But then that just shows the power of football. Looking back, it’s good I could help in that scenario.
‘It’s hard to break down those barriers and if, as a professional footballer, I can help in a slight way then maybe it can help in the long run. Obviously it was out there for me but sometimes you’ve got to be brave. It was an opportunity I got given and I thought it would be an honour to do it.
‘I didn’t realise it would be such a big deal. In any other job, any other scenario, why would this be a big deal? But because of football it’s magnified. A lot of people who my wife knew were actually asking her if I was gay. It’s like, “Well, we’re married. I’m sure she would know!”’

 

Looking the part: Hammers winger Jarvis

For Jarvis, the barriers to having openly gay footballers lie in the stands more than on the training ground. There was gentle ribbing from team-mates over his magazine interview, but only for the fact he was photographed topless in skimpy blue shorts. He thinks the fear of being targeted by opposition fans keen to seize on any difference is the real prohibitive reason.

 

Jarvis has his eyes on the ball

He says: ‘Obviously you do get banter but that happens with anyone. I still get little bits and pieces: “Strike a pose”, “A lot of attitude in that shot”, “Great attitude in training” – things like that. No one’s like, “I can’t believe you did that,” or anything that’s going to be negative towards it. No one really feels like it’s that much of a big deal. I don’t think it would be a problem at all in and around football changing rooms.’

 

Jarvis wins a header against Zoltan Gera of West Bromwich in December 2012

But he adds: ‘It is a hard decision for someone to make (to come out). With all the pressure of just performing as a footballer, to then go out on a pitch and know that the away fans are going to be using that to their advantage to heckle you to not perform to your best ability.
‘For the home fans it would be like any other thing. They would get behind their team. But it’s one to think about for the away fans. You want your team to win, so if you can put anyone else off their game, then you would.
‘For a footballer, thinking what people are going to say – that side of things – it might be quite hard to keep your performances at a really high standard.’ 
And yet, as Jarvis puts it, were a gay football to ‘take a leap of faith’ and reveal his sexuality that could also bring relief. ‘Then you can really concentrate on your football,’ he says.
But he adds: ‘I don’t think you can put pressure on. If they want to (come out), then great. If they don’t then it’s completely up to them. I couldn’t put a date on it but obviously with the FA and everyone doing campaigns to try and help, hopefully it will make things easier for people who are thinking about coming out to do so.’

 

Jarvis (right) in full flow for Wolves against Bolo Zenden in 2010

Graeme Le Saux believes the football landscape has developed dramatically since he was barracked about his sexuality, despite being straight. In once infamous exchange he was mocked by Robbie Fowler on the pitch at Stamford Bridge.
‘If that happened now the response would be far different,’ says Le Saux. Indeed, the FA have charged 19 players with homophobic abuse since 2010 levying fines totalling £50,000. ‘It’s changed a lot,’ adds the former England defender. ‘There’s two ways to look at it. There is the educational side in terms of creating a positive attitude, and then there’s the sanctioning. They go hand in hand.
‘It’s a sad reflection on the game if people can’t be themselves. Hopefully over time the challenges aren’t so big and people don’t feel they have to pretend to be someone they’re not.

 

Jarvis faces the press before England play Wales

‘But this campaign is certainly not ‘Find a Gay Footballer Month’. It’s for if gay players out there do want to announce they are gay, that football receives them with enough confidence and support that they can continue with their careers.’