Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann has claimed that "players do not come out of the closet because they are afraid".
Homosexuality in football remains a taboo subject, with many players in the professional game refusing to discuss their preference.
Griezmann has claimed that he would 'come out as gay', although the France international has accepted that it must be difficult to do so in such a high-profile setting.
"Players do not come out of the closet because they are afraid," Griezmann told ICON. "We have to appear hard and strong but we are afraid of what people will say about us.
"Of course, I have nothing against anyone, I respect everybody. I think I would [come out as gay]. But of course, that's easier said when you do not have to go through it. There are a lot of bad people in football and players can be afraid to go to stadiums and get abused."
After retiring from professional football in 2013, former Aston Villa, West Ham United and Everton midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger came out as gay, becoming the highest-profile player to do so.
Matt Law
