Ex-West Brom defender Carl Hoefkens reveals two former teammates were gay
Former Albion defender Carl Hoefkens has revealed he played with two gay footballers during his time in England.
The 39-year-old spent two years at Stoke City between 2005 and 2007 before the Baggies bought him for £750,000.
The Belgian remained at The Hawthorns for two seasons but was then released in the summer of 2009.
“I played alongside three gay footballers, including one who was a genuinely big name,' Hoefkens, told Belgian newspaper De Zondag.
“They did not hide who they were in the dressing-room. One was at Club Brugge, and the other two were in England. I won't name names as I respect their requests.
“One of them would even arrive at training with his boyfriend. They asked us to keep quiet to the outside world, but don't ask me why.
“I find it strange that homosexuality is still a taboo in football. It is a pity.
“I hope that a top player will one day stand up and announce: ‘I'm gay - so what?’ Then the taboo will finally disappear.
“If I were gay I would do it for certain. This is something that is generally accepted in society after all.”
There are currently no openly gay footballers in England’s top four divisions, but former Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger came out in 2014 once he had retired.
