Italian Footballers differing views on GLBT

It seems it’s a team of two halves not just a game as Claudio Marchisio has spoken out in support of same sex equality, while teammate Antonio Cassano has recently been negative about homosexuality.

Midfielder Marchisio told magazine Vogue that “Personally, I agree with marriage between persons of the same sex…. But in our particular environment, in fact, the topic is a bit rigid. If someone comes out at their workplace, fortunately it is no longer a sensation.

“Doing so at a football training camp, however, one cannot imagine the same scene. It is not fair.” He also gave his view on same-sex partnerships by stating, “It cannot be argued that a heterosexual couple can necessarily be able to provide more love to a child.”

His comments follow Cassano last week telling a press conference that he hoped there would be no gay players in Euro 2012. “If I say what I think… I hope there are none. But if there are queers here, that’s their business.” He told reporters, later apologising for his comments after a backlash. ““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.”

Referencing his teammates initial view on gay footballers Marchisio told the Italian version of the magazine that Cassano was a ‘good person’ saying “Sometimes he does naive things. And one almost has the impression that he does not really want to become an adult.”