A gay footballer playing in the Bundesliga has anonymously spoken out to denounce the attitude towards homosexuality within the game.

The unknown star, speaking to German magazine Fluter, said that he fears for his safety should his identity ever become public.

He also revealed that he knows of several gay men currently playing in the German national league, and spoke of the daily torment that he must go through in order to keep his sexuality a secret.

"The price I pay for living my dream as a Bundesliga player is high," said the unnamed man. "I have to be an actor every day and go into self-denial.

"Unlike other celebrities, football players have to follow the footballer stereotype. They have to love sports, fight aggressively and be a role-model at the same time. And gays don't follow that formula. I would not be safe anymore if my sexuality was made public.

"I know of other Bundesliga players who are gay as well. We don't meet, it would just be too noticeable. It might be easier to get over if several players outed themselves at once but I don't have a lot of hope this would help. We'd still be a minority to harp on about."

In 1990, Justin Fashanu became the first openly gay footballer in Britain.