Former England Lioness Fran Kirby has defended gay players’ right to privacy ahead of the 2025 Euros.

In an exclusive interview with PinkNews, Kirby, who announced just three weeks ago that she has retired from the team, shared her thoughts on the importance of privacy around sexuality and dating for women footballers. 

There are a number of out LGBTQ+ players on the Lionesses, which is in part due to the women’s game being a safe and inclusive space, free of the homophobia, racism and sexism often found in the men’s game. However, there is an archaic misconception that “all women who play football are lesbian”, and that all women who play football present as “butch”. 

Asked about why people speculate on female footballers’ sexuality, ahead of the upcoming UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, Kirby replied: “If someone is willing to be open about who they are, what they represent and who they are dating, then I think that’s absolutely fair. 

“And I think if someone decides to not share that information, I think it should be respected,” she said.

Kirby added that the players in the women’s game are seen as “much more accessible” compared to male players who perhaps aren’t expected to divulge their private lives to the public.

“I think a lot of people think that they know you more and that they should know you and know about your private lives, they should know what’s going on in your private life,” she said. 

“Sometimes we need to take a step back and realise that [women football players] are human beings, and first and foremost they have a family, they have partners, they have kids. 

“It’s never going to happen because everyone is going to want more and more of you, but… it doesn’t mean that you keep reaching for more and more.”

However, Kirby, who is lesbian, reiterated to let players “express who they are to you, and don’t attack them if they don’t”. 

“There’s a lot of players who share what they need to share and are really driven to make a change in the world, and I think that’s absolutely fantastic and we should be championing those people.

“But I don’t think we should be going after those who are clearly wanting to live a more quiet and private life.”

The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament will be played in Switzerland from 2 to 27 July 2025.

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