MP John Nicolson has revealed that three players are currently in discussions with the Football Association about coming out as gay.

The comments were made during a hearing into homophobia in sport, after FA chairman Greg Clarke claimed that Premier League players would suffer "significant abuse" if they chose to reveal that they are gay.

Sports minister Tracey Crouch admitted to being disappointed by Clarke's comments, which were made in October, but Nicolson believes that English football could soon have its first active openly-gay footballer.

"I understand three players are in talks with the FA about coming out and they haven't done so yet," the Scottish National Party MP said. "It's good to know that you're encouraging people to come out."

Justin Fashanu came out as gay in 1990 but took his own life aged 37 in 1998 - the first and only male professional to come out while playing in English football.