Rylan to explore homophobia in football for documentary

Television personality Rylan Clark is set to delve into the issue of homophobia in football in a forthcoming documentary.

The one-off program, titled "Rylan: Homophobia, Football And Me," will draw on Clark's personal experiences as a football enthusiast and member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Growing up as a West Ham fan and a part of the Junior Hammers supporters’ club, Clark encountered homophobia, leading him to explore the reasons behind football's unwelcoming atmosphere for gay men.

The documentary, featuring interviews with sports figures Thomas Hitzlsperger, Rio Ferdinand, and Jen Beattie, will be available on discovery+ and broadcast on TNT Sports 1, coinciding with LGBT History Month.

Clark will engage with Hitzlsperger on his coming-out experience, Ferdinand on his transformation regarding homophobic language, and Beattie on attitudes toward homosexuality in women's football.

Clark expressed his initial assumption of being able to attend games freely as a West Ham fan but revealed the discomfort caused by the frequent use of offensive language and insults from football crowds.