Two footballers including England player and Premier League player 'set to come out as gay'

The players are reportedly getting support from their clubs and the FA

(Rex Features)

Two Premier League footballers are going to publicly come out before the start of the next football season.

The Mirror reports that the two players - including an England international - have told their family and friends and have received support from their clubs and the Football Association.

A source told the paper: "The stigma has completely gone, and the public are far more accepting.

"It has always been such a macho game and, unfortunately, perhaps more than in any other sport, there can be an aggressive mob mentality in the stands.

"But finally the tide is turning and more and more sports people are openly gay."

The players - whose names have not been publicly revealed - would be the first players to publicly announce they are gay while in the top flight of English football.

They are thought to come out before the start of the next football season.

US footballer Robbie Rogers came out in 2013 shortly after retiring from Leeds United, before signing on to play for LA Galaxy.

He spoke about his surprise at the lack of a “chain reaction” following his declaration of his sexuality in an interview last year.

“It's been a lot slower. I guess that just reminds me how big a problem it is in sports culture with homophobia. They don't feel comfortable,” he said.

Despite the culture of homophobia in sports, they are becoming more and more diverse. Earlier this year Keegan Hirst became the first rugby league player to come out as gay, followed shortly after by rugby union player Sam Stanley.