England women's football captain Casey Stoney has publicly revealed that she is gay and is in a "loving relationship".

The 31-year-old believes that it is "important" for her to open up about her sexuality in a bid to break down issues of homophobia.

"I was living a lie," Stoney told BBC Sport. "I've never hidden it within football circles because it is accepted, but to the outside world, I've never spoken about my sexuality.

"I feel it's really important for me to speak out as a gay player because there are so many people struggling who are gay, and you hear about people taking their own lives because they are homosexual. That should never happen.

"For the last 10 years I've always cared too much what other people think. I was frightened of the stereotypes, frightened of being judged, frightened of what other people might say, especially the abuse you can get through social media. But I think I'm in a place where I feel so comfortable in my own skin, I feel so loved by the person I'm with, that I feel I can face anything."

Stoney has revealed that she was encouraged to come out after Olympic diver Tom Daley revealed in December that he was in a relationship with a man.