Out onto the pitch: Katie Price and John Bishop among celebrities backing campaign supporting England's hidden gay footballers
- The ComeOut2Play movement is working with top flight gay and bi sportsmen
- English Football League has also given its backing to the campaign
- It was co-launched by former Leeds United boss David Haigh who has revealed that he knows at least 20 professional players who are 'privately gay or bi'
Katie Price and John Bishop are among dozens of celebrities backing a campaign supporting England's hidden gay footballers.
The ComeOut2Play movement is working with top flight gay and bi sportsmen who are afraid to come out.
The English Football League, representing 72 clubs, has also given its backing to the campaign.
It was co-launched by the former Leeds United boss David Haigh who has previously revealed that he knows at least 20 professional players who are 'privately gay or bi'.
High-profile supporters include Piers Morgan, Alan Carr and Sarah Brown as well as Denise Welch.
John Bishop, pictured left, and Katie Price, pictured right, are among dozens of celebrities backing the campaign
Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell and David Lammy MP are also backing the campaign.
The campaign has reached 25 million people on social media since its launch late last month.
EFL boss Shaun Harvey, said: 'We are proud of our work to date in this important area but we know that there is much more that can be done.
'The EFL is pleased to support the upcoming Come Out 2 Play initiative, in order to help raise awareness, whilst also promoting the values of the game and ensuring football provides everyone with a safe and welcoming environment.'
Former BBC newsreader and TV personality Andy West said: 'We should never pressure anyone to come out if they don't want to but, as a journalist, I've recently come to realise that there are professional footballers in the UK who think they'll lose their careers if they do.
'That's a problem but I believe the vast majority of football supporters, players, managers and owners will stand by any sporting hero who has the bravery and confidence to be open.
'It will happen and when it does, they'll be an inspiration to millions.'
Justin Fashanu, pictured, who played for Nottingham Forest and Norwich City, remains the highest profile star to reveal he was gay in England
Nottingham Forest and Norwich City striker Justin Fashanu remains the highest profile star to reveal he was gay in England, but he suffered years of abuse and eventually killed himself in 1998, aged 37.
Former Germany and Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger came out in 2014, becoming the first Premier League player to reveal he was homosexual.
Hitzlsperger said he had recently accepted that he 'preferred men' four months after announcing his retirement from playing.
Football Association chairman Greg Clarke encouraged homosexual players to come out in January of this year but recently admitted he had failed in his attempts to make contact with any gay professionals.
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