Croatian Football Federation appeals UEFA fine for homophobic comments

From the Associated Press:

NYON, Switzerland -- Croatian soccer federation president Vlatko Markovic has appealed to UEFA his $14,100 [10,000 euro] fine for making anti-gay remarks.

European soccer's governing body says it expects to schedule the appeal hearing next month after Markovic challenged his sanction for an "inappropriate statement" to the media.

UEFA acted after the 74-year-old Markovic said in an interview last November that a gay player "certainly" would not play for Croatia while he was national federation president. He said he never met a gay player because "only healthy people play football."

One month later, Croatian officials elected Markovic to a fourth four-year term.

Markovic serves on FIFA's soccer committee and is expected to attend the governing body's congress in Zurich next week.