Gay footballer Andy Brennan says Israel Folau comments extremely ‘hurtful to vulnerable young’

Andy Brennan, the first professional Australian soccer player to come out, has condemned Israel Folau’s homophobic remarks, claiming they could be particularly damaging to kids who looked up to the rugby player.

Israel Folau’s homophobic remarks would have broken the hearts of some of those who idolise him, according to the first professional Australian soccer player to come out.

Former A-League attacker Andy Brennan said Folau would have planted seeds of self-doubt in the minds of many vulnerable youngsters that follow him from his stints in League, AFL and now Union.

Folau is in court fighting Rugby Australia over his Wallabies axing after suggesting that homosexuals will go to hell if they did not repent in a social media post.

Brennan, who now plays for state league side Green Gully, said Folau’s comments were hurtful.

“If I was 16 years old and saw these comments, I’d be heartbroken, I’d be scared. I wouldn’t know what to do,’’ Brennan said.

Andy Brennan became the first male Australian footballer to come out.

“Young rugby players would look up to him just like I looked up to (Cristiano) Ronaldo when I was 16. If Ronaldo had said those comments, I don’t know what I would’ve done.

“I can deal with the comments, I just brush them off. But there would be people that are playing, whether it’s League or Rugby, or any football codes, and they see these comments thinking — if my idol says that.

“I wish he’d have a better understanding of how it can be so hurtful. The damage has been done — a lot of those kids will read it and be upset, wouldn’t know where to turn.

“It would have been really upsetting and definitely put me in a worse place. If I didn’t have the support networks around me it would have been a big struggle and one that would’ve been difficult to come out with completely and get to a point where you’re comfortable with yourself.

BAD MOVE: COMMENT THAT COULD TURN CASE IN FOLAU’S FAVOUR

Israel Folau’s comments could be particularly damaging to the young, says Andy Brennan.

“I don’t want to judge and say he can’t or shouldn’t say these things — I’m a believer in free speech. For me it’s a little more hard hitting because some of the things he said are quite personal to me.”

Brennan told the Herald Sun in May that his sexuality had become a burden he could no longer carry, and felt compelled to come out, becoming the first male Australian footballer to do so.

The former Newcastle Jets player admitted it has taken a huge weight off his shoulders.

“It’s been great. I used to go into training being pretty worried and focusing on these thoughts of who knew and didn’t know,’’ he said.

“Now I rock up to training and don’t even think about it. Doesn’t make a difference. It’s a good feeling — because it’s something that had complete control of my mind.”

Originally published as Gay footballer Andy Brennan says Israel Folau comments extremely ‘hurtful to vulnerable young’