Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has said that there is still "a long way to go" in the fight against homophobia in football.
The 34-year-old came out as gay in 2014 having retired from playing a year prior, making him one of only a handful of top-level players to do so.
"There's a long way to go, it's only just started," Hitzlsperger told Sky Sports News. "It never ends. There will always be people who pick on minorities and that's why we have to continue working, not just at the highest level, but at every single level. People need to get involved and speak up if any wrongdoing is being noticed.
"Before I came out I thought about what the reaction would be and three years on I can only say I've had so many great responses from people and fans saying 'it was great what you did, it was about time somebody came out'.
"I'm surprised it hasn't happened earlier, but people argue I waited until after my career so it's fair enough. I'm trying to help people who want and need help."
Hitzlsperger's comments come as Burnley frontman Andre Gray begins a four-match suspension after he was discovered to have made a number of homophobic tweets in 2012.
