ENGLISH SOCCER PLAYER DANIELS SAYS HE IS GAY

LONDON English soccer player Jake Daniels said he is gay on Monday in a trailblazing moment for the European men’s game. The 17-year-old forward made the announcement at the end of his first season as a professional player with second division club Blackpool. “This season has been a fantastic one for me on the pitch,” he said in a statement. “But off the pitch I’ve been hiding the real me and who I really am. I’ve known my whole life that I’m gay, and I now feel that I’m ready to come out and be myself. “It’s a step into the unknown being one of the first footballers in this country to reveal my sexuality.” While women’s soccer features many prominent LGBTQ+ players, the men’s professional game lacks players who are publicly gay. Daniels said he was inspired by Josh Cavallo of Australian team Adelaide United, who is the only openly gay man currently playing in a top division in world soccer after the 22-yearold midfielder’s announcement in October. The English Football Association said Daniels was an “inspiration” to the sport.