Gary Lineker claims he knows two Premier League footballers who have been close to coming out

Gary Lineker claims he knows of two gay Premier League footballers and believes the upcoming World Cup would represent the perfect opportunity to come out.

Qatar is preparing to host the tournament for the first time but the event has been mired in controversy given the number of human rights issues that have come to light in the build-up.

Homosexuality, for example, remains outlawed and carries a jail sentence of anything up to seven years, but Lineker hopes football’s showpiece competition is marked by an elite level footballer coming out.

He told the Daily Mirror: ‘It would be great if one or two of them came out during the World Cup. It would be amazing.

‘I know for a fact that some have been very close and contemplated it. There’s a couple I know, but obviously it’s not for me to say who they are.

Asked why the players had opted against revealing their sexuality, Linker added: ‘Fear. Fear of the unknown, I imagine. Perhaps they are worried about what their teammates might think, although they probably already know.

‘I mean, it seems insane that it should even be a thing.

‘People say, ‘Yeah, but the crowds.” And I say, ‘Well the crowds chant anyway’. Any kind of abuse you take is a compliment from the opposing fans.’

Gay football fans, meanwhile, have been told they should feel safe to show each other affection once the competition gets underway, its chief organiser has insisted.

Nasser Al Khater insists no one will be discriminated against at the tournament, starting on November 20.

When asked if gay fans could hold hands, he said ‘yes’. Pressed on whether rainbow flags – the symbol of the LGBTQ+ community – will be allowed at matches, he told Sky News: ‘We’ve always said everybody is welcome.

‘All we ask is for people to be