Hitzlsperger's coming out a sign of progress: gay rights group Retired German footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger, who has come out as gay, says he believes that there is "a long way to go" before openly homosexual players are accepted in top-level football. Hitzlsperger, 31, publicly announced his sexuality on Wednesday, prompting messages of support from sporting and political figures across Europe. Megan Worthing-Davies, co-director of British charity Football v Homophobia, says Hitzlsperger's announcement is a 'really positive move.' Soundbites.