Intro:

Italy forward Antonio Cassano speaks his mind on homosexuality in football and Mario Balotelli ahead of Italy's Group C clash with Croatia.

Script:

Not your average pre-match press conference ahead of Italy's second Group C game against Croatia.

After being asked by an Italian reporter if he thought there might be some undeclared homosexual players on the team, forward Antonio Cassano was far from diplomatic.

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Italy forward Antonio Cassano:
"If I think about what I could say, you know what could happen. That's their problem, they're gay, I won't say more, because if not, you know I'll be attacked from every direction. They're gay, it's their problem, I hope there aren't any in the national team".

Cassano's controversial remarks were made worse by the use of a derogatory word to describe homosexuals.

Italy already have one trouble magnet in striker Mario Balotelli, but Cassano was quick to defend his partner in crime.

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Italy forward Antonio Cassano:
"Today you only talk about Balotelli, OK, let's talk about Balotelli. I have a great relationship with Mario, They told me, "you should be his tutor", can you believe it? I should be his tutor, and who looks after me? I don't know. I have a great relationship with him, both on and off the pitch. Sure we can improve, and we have to, we never played together after all, just a couple of matches. We can only improve from where we are".

Racism in Poland and Ukraine dominated the build up to the tournament, but Cassano's comments are sure to stir the debate on the dark prejudices that still lurk in football.