Eight footballers have reportedly come out as gay to their respective clubs but there are fears of prejudice if they make their sexuality public.

Gay Football Supporters' Network chairman Chris Basiurski has revealed that some players are too concerned about the reaction from fans to come out.

"The danger is not so much coming out, but what happens next," the Daily Star quotes Basiurski as saying. "We do have evidence that players are out within their clubs and don't have a problem with that.

"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."

Justin Fashanu, who committed suicide in 1998, is the only professional footballer to have been openly gay.