- Players at Premier League club say they are victims of homophobic gossiping
- Posters teasing the two stars are alleged to have been put at a training ground
- A teammate is said to have objected to two men having a sexual relationship
A Premier League football team is engulfed in conflict after two players were bulled over claims they are sharing a gay relationship.
The players say they are victims of homophobic gossip by other teammates.
Posters are understood to have been put up around the training grounds, poking fun at the two players.
The posters show one star celebrating a goal with the name of a team-mate emblazoned across his chest.
The players say they are victims of homophobic gossip by other teammates. Stock image
It says the teammate ‘owns’ the star in the picture and adds for kisses.
Underneath the photo are two red hearts with an arrow piercing them, captioned: ‘I’m so glad we’re together.’
It is unknown who created the posters but feelings of resentment are said to have worsened within the squad.
‘The vast majority of the lads are totally supportive, but one African player has properly kicked off and is making it plain he’s against gay relationships,’ a source told The Sun.
‘The management know, but simply can’t control it. So some of the senior players have stepped in to squash it once and for all.
‘It’s a total mess and an outrage that in 2018 this issue can divide a Premier League club.’
An African-born player is understood to have told teammates he objected to two men have a sexual relationship ‘on religious grounds’.
Gay right campaigner Peter Tatchell added that prejudice ‘has no place in any sport’.