United States and ex-Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers says he is "stepping away" from football after announcing he is gay.

The issue of the masculine identity and football... is it acceptable to be homosexual if your a footballer?



Rogers, 25, who was released by Leeds in January after a loan spell at Stevenage, is only the third footballer to publicly declare his homosexuality.
"I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity," said Rogers.
"Now is my time to step away. It's time to discover myself away from football."
The Football Association said it would fully back Rogers, regardless of whether he continues his career.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21479520