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KRAKOW, Poland - Italy forward Antonio Cassano said Tuesday that he hopes there are no homosexual players on the national team at the European Championship, and he then used a derogatory word to describe gays. A.J. Hawk Jersey . After being told by an Italian reporter that there might be some undeclared gay players on the team, Cassano appeared at a loss for words before responding. "Thats their problem, but I hope not. ... But I dont know," he said, then added that he hoped his answer sufficed. "Because if not, you know Ill be attacked from every direction." The question Tuesday was asked by an Italian journalist citing Alessandro Cecchi Paone, who co-wrote a book earlier this year with a title that can be translated as "The champion in love. The banned games of sport." The journalist also suggested that there are a couple of metrosexual players on Italys squad. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli wrote the preface to Cecchi Paones book, in which he supported homosexuals in sport. Another Italy forward, Antonio Di Natale, said after the book came out in April that homosexual footballers should not reveal that they are gay. Upon hearing Cassanos comments, Cecchi Paone told a local radio station that he had an affair with a member of Italys squad, and that the player told him of another gay player on the team. "Prandelli definitely knows who the homosexuals are," Cecchi Paone told Radio 24, also naming three players on the squad who he said are metrosexuals. "Cassano should come to lunch with me, and Ill explain to him that theres no problem having a gay player in the squad." Gay associations in Italy immediately reacted with outrage to Cassanos comments. "Those that express hate toward others should not represent us in the national team," homosexual cultural club leader Mario Mieli said, according to the ANSA news agency. Gay Center spokesman Fabrizio Marrazzo added: "He deserves at least a warning, if not to be expelled from the Euros." Meanwhile, Arcigay president Paolo Patane invited Cassano to make a "courageous choice" and become a spokesman in the fight against homophobia and racism in football. Cassano has always been a player who speaks his mind. He had well-documented run-ins with Fabio Capello at both Roma and Real Madrid, and then a separation from Sampdoria when he allegedly insulted club president Riccardo Garrone with a profanity-laced verbal tirade. He now plays for AC Milan, and risked losing his life after falling ill with stroke-like symptoms on the team plane in October. He then required minor heart surgery that kept him out for five months. Homosexuality in football has been a taboo subject for years. Justin Fashanu, the first black footballer to move in a 1 million pound transfer when he joined English club Nottingham Forest in 1981, saw his career fade after he publicly acknowledged his homosexuality. He was found hanged in a London garage in 1998 at age 37. French former player Olivier Rouyer, who once played with current UEFA President Michel Platini at Nancy, came out after retiring as a coach. Charles Woodson Youth Jersey . The 28-year-old suffered the setback on November 10 in a game against the Winnipeg Jets, but the team said that he will not need surgery. Upshall had totaled just one goal and three points in 15 games this season, after Florida signed him to a four-year deal worth a reported $14 million. James Jones Jersey . Defencemen Pat Coyle, Chris Driscoll and Regy Thorpe, goaltender Steve Dietrich as well as forward Curt Malawsky may be named to the Hall of Fame. http://www.proshopgreenbaypackers.com/jermichael-finley-jersey . At no point, however, did Brandon Bass merit marquee billing in his first season in Boston. The fifth, newest and least-heralded member of the Celtics starting lineup, Bass erupted for a career playoff-high 27 points on Monday night, scoring 18 in the third quarter as Boston pulled away from the Philadelphia 76ers to win 101-85 and take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Randall Cobb Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Casey Hayward Womens Jersey .C. -- Wake Forest senior centre Ty Walker has been suspended for the rest of the season. LUCERNE, Switzerland -- Yohan Blake warmed up for the London Olympics by timing 9.85 seconds to win the 100 metres at a Lucerne meet Tuesday in his first competitive race since beating Usain Bolt twice at the Jamaican Olympic trials. Blake was far from the fastest out of the blocks but powered through the field with legal wind assistance of 1.6 metres per second. Jamaica teammate Michael Frater was second in 10.00. "Definitely I am on the right path for the Olympics," the 21-year-old world champion said. "This is where I am supposed to be. I want to remain unbeaten and thats what I am doing." Blake chose the low-key Spitzen Leichtathletik meeting to make what is expected to be his only appearance between the trials and the London Games. He is scheduled to open his Olympic program when the 100 heats start on Aug. 4. Blake lowered the Lucerne record of 9.86 sset by fellow Jamaican Nesta Carter two years ago. Tramon Williams Jersey. "I got the meet record, which is wonderful," Blake said. "I didnt come here to run a quick time but its still a fast time. Not many guys run 9.85." Only three-time Olympic champion Bolt (9.76) and 2004 Olympic winner Justin Gatlin (9.80) have run faster this season. There was still obvious room for improvement out of the blocks. "My first part was poor but, as you can see, the last part is always The Beast part," said Blake, referring to the nickname given him by his training partner, Bolt. Blake clocked a personal best and worlds season-leading time of 9.75 to beat Bolt in Kingston last month. He also ran a world-leading 19.80 to beat Blot and win the 200. After his brief trip to Switzerland, Blake will return to the Jamaican team training camp in Birmingham, England. ' ' '