An anonymous Twitter user claiming to be a gay Championship footballer has gone back on his decision to reveal his identity and come out of the closet, saying he is “not strong enough to do this”.
“I thought I was stronger. I was wrong,” the account tweeted before being deleted.
“Call me all the names under the sun, belittle me and ridicule me, a lot will, and I can’t change that, but I’m not strong enough to do this. Just remember that I’ve got feelings, without coming out I can’t convince anybody otherwise, but this isn’t a hoax. I wouldn’t do that.”
Tweeting from @FootballerGay, the supposed UK player's account following had surpassed 50,000, garnering international media coverage.
Fellow footballer Marvin Sordell, who plays forward for Burton Albion, had previously tweeted his support for the anonymous player.
“Wish you nothing but good fortune with this next step in life," he wrote.
"So many things will be said, but your vulnerability in this situation is such a powerful sign of your strength! I’ve got huge respect for you doing something that is monumental for our sport.”
Before deleting his account, the man's Twitter bio read: "I'm a professional footballer, currently playing in The Championship. I will reveal my identity soon, but I am a PROUD gay man."
