UEFA fines Antonio Cassano for homophobic remarks.

Antonio Cassano said he hoped there were
no gays in the Italy dressing room during a press conference in Krakow
for Euro 2012. Photograph: Claudio Villa/Getty Images




The Milan striker Antonio Cassano has received a €15,000 (£11,700) fine from Uefa for a discriminatory statement he made while with Italy at Euro 2012.
Cassano caused uproar when he said he hoped there were no gay players in the national team squad in Poland and Ukraine.
He
later said his comments had been misinterpreted and did not want to
cause offence but Uefa has taken a dim view of his outburst.
"The
Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body has fined Italy's Antonio Cassano
€15,000 for a discriminatory press statement during Euro 2012," said a
statement on the Uefa website. "An appeal can be lodged against this
decision within three days of the dispatch of the full written
decision."
Cassano had responded to questions about reports in Italy which claimed there were two gay players in Cesare Prandelli's squad.
"The
coach had warned me that you would ask me this question," Cassano said.
"If I say what I think … I hope there are none. But if there are queers
here, that's their business."
Cassano quickly apologised for his
comments the following day. "I sincerely regret that my statements have
sparked controversy and protest from gay rights groups," he said.
"Homophobia is a sentiment that is not mine. I did not want to offend
anyone and I can not question the sexual freedom of other people. I only
said that it is a problem that does not concern me and it is not for me
to pass judgment on the choices of others, who are all respected."

Ché Guayaba wrote:

Antonio Cassano said he hoped there were
no gays in the Italy dressing room during a press conference in Krakow
for Euro 2012. Photograph: Claudio Villa/Getty Images




The Milan striker Antonio Cassano has received a €15,000 (£11,700) fine from Uefa for a discriminatory statement he made while with Italy at Euro 2012.
Cassano caused uproar when he said he hoped there were no gay players in the national team squad in Poland and Ukraine.
He
later said his comments had been misinterpreted and did not want to
cause offence but Uefa has taken a dim view of his outburst.
"The
Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body has fined Italy's Antonio Cassano
€15,000 for a discriminatory press statement during Euro 2012," said a
statement on the Uefa website. "An appeal can be lodged against this
decision within three days of the dispatch of the full written
decision."
Cassano had responded to questions about reports in Italy which claimed there were two gay players in Cesare Prandelli's squad.
"The
coach had warned me that you would ask me this question," Cassano said.
"If I say what I think … I hope there are none. But if there are queers
here, that's their business."
Cassano quickly apologised for his
comments the following day. "I sincerely regret that my statements have
sparked controversy and protest from gay rights groups," he said.
"Homophobia is a sentiment that is not mine. I did not want to offend
anyone and I can not question the sexual freedom of other people. I only
said that it is a problem that does not concern me and it is not for me
to pass judgment on the choices of others, who are all respected."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/20/antonio-cassano-fined-uefa-gay-players?newsfeed=true

I like the picture of Mr. Cassano they chose to use. Really embodies the sort of attitude a professional footballer who has the kind of salary Mr. Cassano has, would take when told about the amount he is going to be fined with.

Laurencio wrote:

Ché Guayaba wrote:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/20/antonio-cassano-fined-uefa-gay-players?newsfeed=true

I like the picture of Mr. Cassano they chose to use. Really embodies the sort of attitude a professional footballer who has the kind of salary Mr. Cassano has, would take when told about the amount he is going to be fined with.

"There are supposedly 2 secretly homosexual players in Prandelli's squad"

"I hope not, but if there are then that's their business"

How is that homophobic?

Ché Guayaba wrote:Not sure how you can't see someone saying that they wish there weren't any homosexuals in the squad could be seen as homophobic.

Just imagine if John Terry said he hoped their weren't any Black folk in the English squad and the reaction he'd get.

Juventino wrote:I'm not sure why certain members of the media obsess about a footballer's sexual orientation. What footballers do in the privacy of their own home is their business. It's as if some of them want the players to come out. Maybe the players want people out of their sex lives? I wonder if that thought has occurred to the press.