London, Oct.18 : Ex-Chelsea ace Paul Elliott has said he knows of 12 football stars who are gay. He said they have not come out of the closet for fear of homophobic chants.

Elliott, 44, now an anti-racism campaigner, was quoted by The Sun as saying: "I've known a dozen players who are gay. I understand why they do not want to come out. Like racism, there is no place for homophobia in sport."

ANI