Two Premier League footballers, one of whom is believed to be an England international, are set to come out as gay before the start of next season, according to reports in England.
It has been reported that the two players have already told their families and friends, while they have also received support from their clubs and the English FA ahead of going public.
The players, whose names have not been revealed, would become the first to publicly announce they are gay while still playing in the top flight in England.
The story has been reported by the Daily Mirror, and according to their source, the two players feel that the time is right to make an announcement with attitudes changing towards gay sportspeople.
"The stigma has completely gone, and the public are far more accepting. At this level of football, being gay is almost the final frontier.
"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".
Lord Ousely, the chairman of anti-discrimination watchdog Kick it Out, said that it would make sense for the two to declare their sexuality at the same time, as it would avoid the pressure of being "the first" openly gay footballer.
Speaking to the Telegraph, he said "I think it is a good time for someone to come out because organisations like my own and others, which work with gay and lesbian communities, would be supportive.
"We’ve seen this happen in some other sports and, although football is seen as quite different, I think it's a time when we should be able to demonstrate that support.
"Unless you test the waters, you can't be certain. But I think there enough people in the game now that would be willing to see their organisations demonstrate support for people being able to express, in an open way, their sexuality".
It was also reported that another top flight footballer came out to friends and family in 2011, but a homophobic slur was smeared across his car, and he is now reluctant to go public, fearing he would become a target for further abuse.
No footballer has come out as gay in England while still playing professionally since Justin Fashanu in 1990, but he fell foul to spiteful sledging from fellow players and the fans. He committed suicide at 37 years of age, after being accused of sexual assault.
However, there has been a growing trend of high profile athletes coming out in recent years, with former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger announcing he was gay after his retirement, while former Leeds United and current LA Galaxy player Robbie Rogers came out shortly after quitting the Elland Road side in 2013.
Rugby League's Keegan Hirst is the first openly gay player in that sport, and Rugby Union player Sam Stanley also went public soon after. In the US, high profile names such as the NFL's Michael Sam and NBA player Jason Collins are two players who have come out while still playing.
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