Antoine Griezmann Says Gay Players Are Afraid to Come Out, Offers Support

Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has said he understands why gay football players are afraid to come out, but he would support those who did.

The France international made the comments during the international break, in an interview with El Pais (h/t MailOnline's Jonny Singer):

"Players do not come out of the closet because they are afraid. We have to appear hard and strong but we are afraid of what people will say about us. Of course, I have nothing against anyone, I respect everybody. 

"I think I would [come out as gay]. But of course, that's easier said when you do not have to go through it.

"There are a lot of bad people in football and players can be afraid to go to stadiums and get abused."

Per the report, the interview focused on Griezmann's life away from football.

As reported by Ian Herbert of the Independent, even Football Association chairman Greg Clarke maintains it is "impossible" for a gay footballer player to come out at this time, due to the abuse he would receive. Per the report, no British professional player came out between the death of Justin Fashanu in 1998 and Liam Davis' revelation in 2014.