ITALY: Soccer Star Fined €15,000 For Hoping There Are "No Gays" On Team

Italian soccer star Antonio Cassano has been fined €15,000 after telling the press that he hoped that there were no gay players on his championship team. Cassano is known for stripping to his underwear after a win. Pink News reports:

UEFA said today: “Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Italy’s Antonio Cassano for a discriminatory press statement (Art. 11bis of the Disciplinary Regulations) during UEFA EURO 2012, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to impose a fine of €15,000 on the player. “An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the full written decision.” Cassano had issued a statement shortly after the original comments saying he did not pass judgement on others. He said: “I sincerely regret that my statements have sparked controversy and protest from gay rights groups. “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."