The FA have pledged full support for the first Barclays Premier League player to break football's final taboo and openly admit to being gay.
Justin Fashanu remains the only player in the history of English football to 'come out', but the FA are to provide a secure platform for today's stars to challenge attitudes in the sport.
At the launch of a new awareness campaign at Wembley - Opening Doors and Joining In -FA chiefs also promised tough sanctions on anyone found guilty of homophobia.
Adrian Bevington, managing director of Club England, is to promote a 'So What?' culture across football in this country as part of an ongoing commitment to raising awareness.
Although the FA are keen to stress that their initiative is not the start of a witch-hunt to find a gay footballer, Opening Doors and Joining In is designed to diversify the game.
Bevington, who was joined at Wembley on Monday by other leading figures from the FA and former professional footballers, spoke passionately and conclusively about the issue.
He said: 'We want to ensure that if any player wishes to be open about their sexuality, then they can do it with the full support of the FA. We want a "So what?" culture in football.'
The FA are encouraging people within the game - spectators, players, managers and match officials - to report homophobia and transphobia.
PFA chief Gordon Taylor has already authorised hundreds of awareness posters to be sent to professional clubs all over the country to be placed in prominent positions on dressing-room walls.
We want a "So what?" culture in football.'FA chairman David Bernstein has also given his consent to a six-point action plan to create an environment where 'lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities can be actively involved, without the fear of discrimination or prejudice'.
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