Justin Fashanu Foundation ‘offering support to five secretly gay footballers’

The Justin Fashanu Foundation is allegedly providing counselling for five secretly gay football stars.

The players, including two from the Premier League, are said to be ‘recognisable names’ and have sought support from the organisation – which was founded and is run by Justin’s niece.

Justin killed himself in 1998, aged 37, eight years after coming out as Britain’s first gay player.

According to The Sun, the top flight stars have confided in some of their team-mates.

The other unnamed players are also said to turn out for Football League clubs.

However, since Justin’s passing, no professional footballers in the UK have come out as openly gay since.

Justin killed himself in 1998, aged 37, eight years after coming out as Britain’s first gay player

Justin’s niece Amal, 31, created the foundation last year and says that footballers will begin to reveal their sexualities over the coming years.

She told The Sun: ‘No one wants to be the first. In their minds these guys are trapped, ashamed. They think society won’t accept it so instead they live their lives in secret.

‘It’s sad that this has to happen. But they would be a trailblazer.’

Amal also believes that football supporters would be more welcoming of gay footballers than ever before.

The charity, named after the ex-Norwich and Nottingham Forest star, was founded last year

She added: ‘The media would treat it differently now and I don’t think there would be a problem with fans.

‘One in ten men are gay so the idea there aren’t lots playing football doesn’t add up.’

Sportsmail have contacted Amal for comment.

Justin was inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame earlier this year.