The Nike match ball infront of rainbow flags during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United at Vitality Stadium on February 24, 2018. (Catherine Ivill/Getty)

The president of the Croatian Football Federation, Vlatko Markovic, has said that there is no place for gay players on the country’s national team.

Croatian gay and lesbian groups have said they will sue him and report him to UEFA for the outburst.

In an interview with Croatian newspaper Vecernji List, Mr Markovic said: “While I’m a president of the Croatian Football Federation, there will be no homosexuals playing in the national team.”

When asked whether he had ever met a gay footballer, he said: “Luckily, only normal people play football.”

Croatia legalised homosexuality in 1977 and allows gays and lesbians to join the military. However, it does not allow civil unions or gay marriage.