FAILING to tackle homophobia in sport could be leading to a drain in talent, according to Horsforth and Aireborough's MP Stuart Andrew.

Mr Andrew called for a crackdown on the problem during a debate on the issue in Parliament.

The Pudsey MP, who is openly gay, said nobody should have to choose between playing sport or being open about their sexuality - and he pleaded with sports governing bodies to take fresh action on the problem.

Mr Andrew, who led the debate, stressed: "This is not only for the sake of LGBT people in sport, but for sport in this country to flourish.

"A personal choice about being open about who you are, and continuing to take part in sport, is a choice that nobody should have to make.

"It is a choice that will ultimately cost people personally, but leave sports across the country without the talent that could be adding so much to our future success."

A number of MPs criticised FA chairman Greg Clarke, who earlier this year said he would not recommend a footballer come out as gay, given the likely abuse they would face.

Mr Andrew said he could "sort of" understand Mr Clarke’s desire to protect players, adding: "But for me, I think saying 'now’s not the time' is a very different point to make, and I think it actually sends quite a negative message to the players and to the general public.

"Now is exactly the right time for us to be addressing this."

Mr Andrew said he "absolutely" agreed with the argument from the SNP’s Martin Docherty-Hughes that the FA and SFA would be left behind "given the fact that our society is far more forward-thinking than their reactionary and quite frankly homophobic attitude to gay and LGBT rights within sport itself.”

The Pudsey MP stressed: “Absolutely. They need to get up with the times.”

Mr Andrew has now called for more research into low participation rates in sport among LGBT people, a new zero-tolerance approach to abuse and greater promotion of LGBT fan groups.

He also called on the FA to "lead the charge" across sports governing bodies in a co-ordinated effort to tackle the problem.