Manchester United
soccer star under fire for homophobic remarks

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is under fire for allegedly directing homophobic remarks at the referee in the Champions League game against Benfica. After being given a yellow card early in Tuesday's game at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon, Scholes shouted an insult at referee Frank De Bleeckere. The matter is being investigated, and Scholes has been urged to apologize by Peter Tatchell, a spokesman for the gay rights group OutRage! "If he had made a racist remark, UEFA and the Football Association would have initiated immediate disciplinary proceedings," Tatchell said. "Why the double standards? We urge Paul to apologize and to express his opposition to homophobia." (AP)