Croatian football chief says sorry for anti-gay comments

The president of the Croatian Football Federation, Vlatko Markovic, has apologised for offending gay people after he said that there was no place for homosexuality on the country’s national team.

According to AFP, he wrote in a statement on the federation’s website: “I apologise to all those who were hurt by parts of my interview.”

Gay groups were infuriated by Mr Markovic’s original comments and said they would sue him for discrimination.

The former footballer told Croatian newspaper Vecernji List: “While I’m a president of the Croatian Football Federation, there will be no homosexuals playing in the national team.”

When asked whether he had ever met a gay footballer, he said: “Luckily, only normal people play football.”
In his apology today, he said he was “sorry that my comments have been in any way misinterpreted”.

“My intention was in no way to insult or offend anyone,” he added. “I have absolutely nothing against members of any minority, especially not against those of homosexual orientation.”