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Gay footballers have stayed silent about their sexuality for fear of the backlash including taunts from opposing fans.

But with attitudes finally changing two Premier League stars believe the time is right to come out.

A source said: “The stigma has completely gone, and the public are far more accepting.

“At this level of football, being gay is almost the final frontier.

“It has always been such a macho game and, unfortunately, perhaps more than in any other sport, there can be an aggressive mob mentality in the stands.

“But finally the tide is turning and more and more sports people are openly gay.”

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The two players – including an England international – have told family and friends, and are being supported by their clubs and the Football Association.

We are not revealing their names. They would become the first ever players to publicly announce they are gay while in the top flight of English

football. The stars are thought to be planning to go public before the start of next season.

We can also reveal that another well known player came out to friends in 2011.

But a homophobic word was then daubed in paint across his car.

It is understood he is now reluctant to come out publicly in case he is the target for more abuse.

In 1990 former Norwich and Nottingham Forest striker Justin Fashanu became Britain’s first openly gay footballer.

But he was subjected to malicious jibes from fellow players and terrible abuse from fans. He hanged himself, aged 37, in 1998 after being accused of sexual assault.

No male footballer since Fashanu has come out while still playing

professionally in this country.

Ex-Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger retired before his 2014 announcement that he is gay.

But gay stars in other sports have been blazing a trail including British diver Tom Daley .

Keegan Hirst made history in August when he became the first British professional rugby league player to come out. It followed the announcement in 2009 by gay rugby union star Gareth Thomas.

An FA spokesman declined to comment on the Premier League players. Insiders believe footballers may become even more popular after coming out – and hugely increase their earning power.

Top celebrity agent Simon Jones added: “Profile-wise there are no negatives to coming out in 2015. The world is literally their oyster.”

The Premier League stars would join growing list of these openly gay sportsmen if they come out.