Is soccer a matter for real men? Sexist and homophobic attitudes in three Italian soccer teams differentiated by sexual orientation and gender identity

In the 1980s and early 1990s, homophobia and sexism were pervasive in sport due to gender segregation, male dominance and heteronormative culture. In the last two decades, a shift in attitudes towards gender and sexuality can be observed, especially in typically male sports. However, little research has been conducted to determine whether this change has also taken place in Italy. Using semi-structured focus groups and the framework of Inclusive Masculinity Theory, the current study examined sexist and homophobic attitudes in three Italian soccer teams that differed by gender and sexual orientation. Team 1 consisted of openly gay male athletes, Team 2 of both lesbian and heterosexual women and Team 3 of heterosexual men. The narratives were analyzed using constant comparison analysis. Specific macro-categories were identified in each team, as follows: Team 1: need for affiliation, in/visibility, perceived homophobia, and perceived institutionalized homophobia; Team 2: need for affiliation, masculine dominance, equal opportunities, and crossing gender boundaries; and Team 3: presumption of heterosexuality, female inferiority, and tendency toward a homosocial law. The results suggest that soccer in Italy is still a context characterized by the dominance of men over women and the stigmatization of gay men. However, they also suggest that we are witnessing an interlocutory phase in which some heterosexual soccer players are beginning to challenge homophobia, while at the same time women and openly gay players still perceive a homohysteric culture. The discussion is contextualized in the social context in which the discourses emerged.