German chancellor Angela Merkel is telling gay footballers they should have no fear of revealing their sexuality.

The chairwoman of the Christian Democratic Union met officials at a forum in Berlin to discuss integration and diversity in sport yesterday (13 September).

She said: ‘I am of the opinion that anyone who sums up the strength and bravery – and we have a long tradition of this behind us in politics – should know that they live in a land where they have nothing to fear.