• Italy striker must pay €15,000 for slur • Cassano later denied he meant to cause offence

The Milan striker Antonio Cassano has received a €15,000 (£11,700) fine from Uefa for a discriminatory statement he made while with Italy at Euro 2012.

Cassano caused uproar when he said he hoped there were no gay players in the national team squad in Poland and Ukraine.

He later said his comments had been misinterpreted and did not want to cause offence but Uefa has taken a dim view of his outburst.

"The Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body has fined Italy's Antonio Cassano €15,000 for a discriminatory press statement during Euro 2012," said a statement on the Uefa website. "An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the full written decision."

Cassano had responded to questions about reports in Italy which claimed there were two gay players in Cesare Prandelli's squad.

"The coach had warned me that you would ask me this question," Cassano said. "If I say what I think … I hope there are none. But if there are queers here, that's their business."

Cassano quickly apologised for his comments the following day. "I sincerely regret that my statements have sparked controversy and protest from gay rights groups," he said. "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. I only said that it is a problem that does not concern me and it is not for me to pass judgment on the choices of others, who are all respected."