Source: AFP via News24.com
In what AFP describes as a "bizarre interview" the disgraced former manager of an Italian soccer team has hit out against gay players in the European league.

"A homosexual cannot do the job of a footballer," former Juventus managing director Luciano Moggi said during a Monday television interview. "The football world is not designed for them, it's a special atmosphere, one in which you stand naked under the showers."

Moggi is being tried for a variety of corruption offences during his time in charge of the Turin team that's usually in the top flight of Italian football and is one of the most successful clubs in Europe.

He launched his rant against gays during  an interview with Klaus Davi on the program KlausCondicio.

"There are no gays in football, I don't know if players are against having them in their team but I definitely am," he said.

"In the teams where I worked there were never any. I never wanted to have a homosexual player and I still wouldn't sign one.

"I'm old school but I know the ambience of football and a gay wouldn't be able to survive within it.

There are no openly gay footballers in any of the major leagues in Europe and the only reasonably well known player to have come out while playing was Justin Fashanu, in England back in the 1980s.

Rumours are abound about many players in internet chat rooms but still the subject remains something of a taboo in football.

Full article: 'Soccer no place for gays': Sport: Soccer: News24