Sepp Blatter, the Swiss head of FIFA, the global football association, has apologised for remarks he made last week which could have been construed as homophobic.
Mr Blatter was commenting on Dubai's election as host nation of the 2022 football World Cup, and how it is a nation which criminalises homosexual activity.
He said, "Our gay fans will be most welcome in the very religious and homophobic Middle East. But they must restrain themselves from any homosexual activities, because it is illegal."
Football fans are well known for their gay-friendly bashes. They often dress up in many-coloured outfits, and they love to sing songs from musicals.
It has often been said that gay culture was born on the football field, so closely related is the rise of acceptable homosexuality and the popularity of football.
Mr Bernard Assita, head of West Ham's Gay Supporters club, said, "We hope that us, and the Football Association's Gay Supporters club (FAGS) will join us in our love of men. We all go and watch a match in the hope of picking up some young males, that's what football is all about. A few balls in the net - or in your ass if you're lucky!!"
"Why else would you want to watch 22 young men running around in shorts?"
