At least 12 Sunday League football players are gay but are afraid to admit it, a former star has claimed.
The dozen are afraid to admit their homosexuality to their team mates for fear of the reaction they would receive, former Welton Sports & Social star Jon Clifford said.
While Clifford refused to reveal their names himself, the stars were challenged to come out to help rid football of homophobia.
The comments came at a forum, organised by the FA, to launch an anti-homophobia drive.
The FA extended its Kick It Out campaign, which has set up in 1993 to tackle racism, to combat homophobia - dubbed the 'last taboo' in the English game.
The move comes after fans hurled abuse at Portsmouth player Sol Campbell at a game against Tottenham Hotspurs, his former club, last month.
Hampshire police and the FA are continuing to investigate the event.
It is clear that Clifford, who advises the Equality and Human Rights Commission, wants homophobia to be addressed with the same vigour as racism.
'One or two footballers have come to me to ask for advice over my time in football,' he said.
'Quite simply the next step of action would be to do exactly what Kick It Out has done. It's not re-inventing the wheel.
'The conversations I have had with FA Chairman Lord Triesman have left me very impressed. It is clear he intends to be proactive on the subject of homophobia.'