FIVE gay footballers are being counselled by a charity run by Justin Fashanu’s niece.
Two are Premier League stars said to be living in torment and who have confided in some teammates.
The others are from football league clubs.
All five are said to be recognisable names.
Justin killed himself aged 37 in 1998, eight years after coming out as Britain’s first gay player. No active pro footballer in the UK has come out since.
But Justin’s niece Amal, 31, who set up a foundation in his name last year, thinks another is likely to come out within five years.
She said: “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’s dad, former Wimbledon striker John, 57, admitted feeling “guilty every day” when asked about Justin’s suicide on TV’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
But Amal said: “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.”
