Quote: RainbowWarrior "As a gay, disabled "grown man" I personally do care what is said both on and off the pitch, be it by players, fans or the mascot.
Society has moved on from the 80's where the "N" word was regularly thrown about, and whilst I'm not suggesting that word was said, other words can be just as harmful to minorities such as myself.
I know from personal experience how damaging inappropriate use of language can be.
"Grown men" should be grown up enough to understand that.
You included.'"
I wasn't going to reply as it's a pointless argument, but...
Kudos to you.
I'll stick to being a realist and take emotion, or personal preferences out of the argument.
The quickest, easiest and most common sense way to stop the decline of the game is by having the very best product on the pitch. The only way to do that is by having the best players playing the game. Big players + big games = big crowds and big revenue.
Add another level to it - by your own definition you used the word minority. I have zero ways of proving it, but I doubt the top reason for why the majority of people (who aren't already fans) start to watch a sport isn't because of inclusive it is. They are more likely to see a good game and want to watch more.
Being a lovely sport is great (it really is), but when said sport is literally dying and starved of money, the very last thing it needs is to sabotage itself.
I'm sure there will be some great replies and finger wagging responses. I'm not trying to be harsh (although I recognise I am being) and I'm not saying it's how it should be. Beggars can't be choosers tho imo.