QPR midfielder Joey Barton has heaped praise on Robbie Rogers after his decision to return to football.
The 26-year old American winger retired from the game in February after publicly announcing he is gay but is now back playing with MLS champions LA Galaxy - a move which Barton has hailed.
"Credit to Robbie for doing what he has done, and from what I have read he was a bit skeptical he would have to quit because of it," Barton told Sky Sports.
"Since he came out there has been such a positive reaction, and that has convinced him to go back to the game he loves, and that is fantastic."
He added: "Any gay man or woman out there should take confidence that this all shows that football is a lot more open minded than it was.
"Football should give itself a pat on the back, and hopefully it can open the door to a lot more people to come forward."
