Eight Premier League players have come out to their clubs and team-mates as homosexual, according to a report.
But they have all opted not to reveal their sexual orientation in public out of fear of a backlash from fans.
No footballer has come out and continued his career in the UK apart from Justin Fashanu in 1990 – but the troubled striker took his own life in 1997.
The debate has reemerged, however, about coming out after NBA basketballer Jason Collins admitted his sexuality last week.
Gay campaigners told the Observer that PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle had revealed that eight players had approached him, disclosing that they were gay. Seven of those added that fans, not team-mates, were the reason they chose not to go public.
"We have anecdotal evidence that players are out within their clubs and don't have a problem,” said Chis Basiurski, the chairman of the Gay Football Supporters’ Network. “But we are trying to create an atmosphere for people to come out safely, but at the moment there is a big barrier. The fact is, we have never really tested the fans, both home or away, on this.
"The danger is what happens when a player comes out and gets loads of support and attention, but then start playing badly. The worry is that fans will start getting on their backs and they may lose the confidence of their manager and it could be connected to their sexuality."
Stonewall’s Andrew Wasley says the situation has improved in recent times, but that more needs to be done before footballers feel comfortable declaring their sexuality.
“There are signs that things are getting much better, at clubs such as West Ham and Arsenal in particular,” Wasley said. “But there are also gay people who are worried about what to do. The whole game needs to be much more open."
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