Italy coach Lippi says no to openly gay couples

Italy coach Marcello Lippi on Wednesday said he would not select two players for his squad if they were openly involved in a homosexual relationship.

But the veteran coach, who led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, insisted that choice was not due to homophobia but due to the requirements of team morale.

“In the current climate, two national team players could never be involved in an open relationship,” he told a web-TV station.

“This is not a question of culture but is more related to the fact that such a relation would create conflicts contrary to the interests of the dynamics of the group.

“Imagine how a homosexual couple in football would be perceived.

“Even if, socially, most people would support and understand such a situation it would nonetheless become magnified and eventually would be viewed negatively.”

Lippi has previously stated that in 40 years in football he has never met a homosexual and that there are no gay players.

He also said that he would have no problems picking a gay player but that person would find it hard to live as an openly gay footballer.