A Bundesliga player has come out as gay – but fearing publicity and even attacks from fans, the German first division played has remained anonymous.

“I would no longer be safe if my sexuality was to be made public. ... I don’t know whether I would be able to take the constant tension between the model heterosexual player and the possible discovery, until the end of my career."

When asked what would be so bad about his homosexuality becoming public, he suggested any mistakes he made on the field would be blamed on his sexuality.

“Of course I would be delighted if at one time an avalanche of outings came, and even I could be amazed at who was there who I did not already know," he said. "A bit of normality would make me happy. Simply to be able to go with a future partner to a restaurant in public. A dream."