Ex-Barcelona striker and England international Gary Lineker has said "it would be amazing" if a gay footballer or two came out during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and revealed that he knows two Premier League players who are homosexual.
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The topic of human rights has been a major talking point ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is believed to be punishable with up to seven years in prison.
It has led to questions regarding whether the Middle Eastern country should have been awarded the hosting of the tournament, with several ex-footballers having called for a boycott of the 2022 edition of the showpiece for these reasons.
Former player-turned-pundit and TV presenter Gary Lineker is the latest to weigh in on the matter, saying he believes it would be great if players who are gay came out during the World Cup.
"It would be great if one or two of them came out during the World Cup. It would be amazing," he told the Daily Mirror.
"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."
Blackpool player Jake Daniels and Adelaide United's Josh Cavallo are said to be the highest-profile professional players to have revealed they are gay, and Lineker thinks it is fear stopping more from following suit.
"Fear. Fear of the unknown, I imagine. Perhaps they are worried what their teammates might think, although they probably already know. It seems insane that it should even be a thing," he added.
"People say, 'Yeah, but the crowds'. And I say, 'Well, the crowds chant anyway'. You're always going to get a few idiots.
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"But it's easy for me to say as I'm not in that position."
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