No active professional footballer in Germany has ever come out. Ex-footballer Marcus Urban wants to change that. The date has now been set.

The group coming-out in professional soccer announced by gay former youth international Marcus Urban is to take place on May 17, the International Day against Homophobia. “People want to come out from Austria, Germany and England,” said the 53-year-old on RTL. “I’m happy about the process, which is actually a bit upsetting. But I’m delighted about the trust that has been placed in me.”

May 17 will therefore be the first of many opportunities to come out publicly and in a group. After that, it will be possible on the 17th of each month. The offer applies to athletes and club officials, regardless of their gender. “It’s no longer an issue whether you’re homosexual or heterosexual. But in soccer, it has become more rigid. It has remained that way. However, it is crumbling,” said Urban.

With the “Sports Free” campaign, Urban and his fellow campaigners want to prepare coming out on a digital platform. Several Bundesliga clubs have already donated or pledged large sums for “Sports Free”, including Borussia Dortmund, VfB Stuttgart, SC Freiburg and FC St. Pauli, Urban announced at the end of December.