After years of campaigning from gay rights groups, the Football Association has agreed to organise and fund a DVD/video featuring Premier League players speaking out against homophobia.

The issue was brought to the fore by Peter Tatchell and the gay rights group Outrage, who had a high profile meeting at the FA in November 2008, after Sol Campbell - the Portsmouth player and former England international - was allegedly subjected to homophobic chants by Tottenham fans when the two sides met in September last year.

Tatchell hopes that many high profile Premiership players will get involved in the project, including an array of the North West club’s top stars; Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Christiano Ronaldo, and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard are all on Tatchell’s wish list for the DVD.

Tatchell went on to say:“The plan is to feature big-name stars speaking out against homophobia, in order to make anti-gay chants look as stupid, ignorant and uncool as racist ones.

"We're pressing the FA to get this video broadcast on TV and at matches on the giant stadium screens. We also want the FA to put it on You Tube and distribute copies to every school in the country.

"Our aim is to 'Give homophobia the boot' - to kick anti-gay prejudice off the pitch and out of the terraces. We believe this video will help challenge bigoted attitudes among fans.”

Lindsay England from the Gay Football Supporters Network welcomed the move: “I do think if a number of professional players speak out that 'it's ok to be gay and play' then this can only be a big help in tackling homophobia within the game.

“Homophobia is still the biggest taboo and from the very top down through to grass roots, everyone has to be aware that members of the LGBT community support teams and play the sport just the same as heterosexuals. Football is a great leveller the world over and should be enjoyed by everyone. A number of youngsters are put off playing the beautiful game because of 'gay slurs' some just because they are perceived to be gay."