If two player do come out as gay, the duo would be the first footballers to come out publicly while playing in the Premier League.
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Former top flight footballer Justin Fashanu came out as gay in 1990 but as of yet, there are no openly homosexual Premier League players.
Gay footballers have stayed silent about their sexuality for fear of the backlash including taunts from opposing fans.
Speaking to the Telegraph, he said “I think it is a good time for someone to come out because organisations like my own and others, which work with gay and lesbian communities, would be supportive”.
“In a few years’ time I can really see this just being anybody else, anybody can succeed in sport, and if more people can come out, then that will be evident”, he told Victoria Derbyshire. “But I think there enough people in the game now that would be willing to see their organisations demonstrate support for people being able to express, in an open way, their sexuality”.
However, he said that it would never have been possible if he was still playing the sport.
It is added that another well-known star came out to friends in 2011 but had a homophobic word painted across his vehicle.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger revealed that he is gay following his retirement from the game in 2014, while ex-Leeds player Robbie Rodgers came out in 2013 and is now currently featuring for MLS outfit La Galaxy alongside Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane.
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A source told the paper the men believe the time is right now there are “more and more” openly gay sports stars such as Olympic diver Tom Daley.
