Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale has vowed to call out homophobia and said he wants to make football a sport that is a “welcoming place for everyone” after talking for the first time about the fact that one of his brothers is gay.
The goalkeeper, writing in The Players’ Tribune, said: “Over the years, I’ve probably bit my tongue a few too many times – both in dressing rooms and on social media – whenever I hear homophobic comments or stupid things being said. And I think maybe my brother has done the same, thinking it would make my life easier. Well, all that ends today.”
Ramsdale was described by the Gaygooners group of LGBT+ Arsenal fans as “a true ally” and as “brave to talk about such important issues”. The England international said that “with everything going on in football right now, I thought it was important to mention” and outlined his hopes for the future.
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“I want my brother, Ollie – or anyone of any sexuality, race or religion – to come to games without having to fear abuse. And when we lift a trophy at the Emirates Stadium, I want my brother there with me.”
Ramsdale also revealed he was still coming to terms with his wife Georgina’s miscarriage when he was assaulted after Arsenal’s north London derby win at Tottenham in January 2022.
“After the high of climbing to the top of the Premier League table and going off to my first World Cup, my wife and I found out that we were expecting our first child,” he wrote. “Mikel [Arteta] gave me a few extra days off after the World Cup, so we went on a brief holiday. It was genuinely the happiest time of our lives. And yeah … there’s no easy way to say this, but I feel like it’s important that people know.
“On the flight home, my wife had a miscarriage. There’s really no way that I can describe the pain of that six-hour flight back to London, even now. I just want people out there to know that they’re not alone if they’re going through it themselves.”
Arteta offered Ramsdale additional time off – “in the middle of the title race, with so much pressure on the club … for me, that’s a manager” – but he opted to play on. “Three days later, we were playing Spurs in the derby, and for me that was the only way to get my mind off things. Football has always been my escape. I told the manager I wanted to play.”
Ramsdale said Georgina was pregnant again. “We’ve got a little Gooner on the way, and we’re over the moon.”
