In a speech to FIFA's international board this weekend, Sepp Blatter, the powerful president of the International soccer league, urged soccer players to come out of the closet and stop hiding their sexual orientation.

Blatter insisted that male professionals should learn from their female counterparts, and not fear alienation in the locker room.

"There are gay footballers but they don't declare it because they think it will not be accepted in these macho organizations," he said. "Look at women's football: homosexuality is more popular there."

Justin Fashanu is the only professional soccer player to have ever come out of the closet. Fashanu played for Norwich, Nottingham Forests and Hearts before he committed suicide in 1996.

In 2001, the British Football Association changed its charter and now imposes penalties for sexually discriminatory behavior.

Last update: 03-07-2008 11:37