More than three-quarters of professional players in England and Scotland say depression is a problem for footballers, according to a new survey.

Little more than year after the death of Gary Speed, who suffered from depression, a survey by Four Four Two magazine of 100 players showed the condition is a problem for many.

The survey also revealed that 26 per cent of those questioned had witnessed racism in the game, while 14 per cent believed match-fixing takes place, though it did not state at what level in the game or whether domestically or internationally.

In terms of depression, one League One player told the magazine: “It can affect a lot of players. I know because I have been there.

“The easy route was to give up the game completely – I was in a dark place.”

Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said his organisation was devoting a lot of resources to tackling depression.

He told Press Association Sport: “It is an issue we have been dealing with now for some time and we are looking to ensure that people are aware of what support systems there are.

“We have a network of advisers and our own counselling service at the PFA as well.”

The survey also revealed that 43 per cent of those questioned said there were too many foreign players in English football, 62 per cent insisted a gay player would not be an outcast in the game and 50 per cent agreed that recreational drugs were used by some footballers.

Only 13 per cent of those questioned believe performance-enhancing drugs are used.