MPs in Britain have called for a campaign to end homophobia in professional football.

Liberal Democrats Communities Minister Stephen Williams believes that the police and the Football Association are among a number of bodies that need to make more of an effort in stopping anti-gay abuse.

"It isn't acceptable that footballers still feel the need to hide their sexuality out of fear of abuse," Williams is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

"I want homophobia to be treated with zero tolerance, just the same as racism, and I want clubs, stewards, the police and the FA to work even harder to achieve this."

Former Aston Villa and West Ham United midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is currently the only player to have been associated with the Premier League who has come out as gay.