Rossi admits he's a bit of a Twit

Footballers are well versed in the art of social media and regularly turn to Twitter to register their post match thoughts.

But former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi took his post-match rant a little far when he called a football fan "a homo" on the internet.

The American born Italian striker was writing after his current side Villarreal thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-1 this weekend.

After being provoked by an American fan, Rossi replied by writing: "I know for a fact this homo (@twitter user) would never say these things in my face."

The twitter user retorted: "Betrays your country + responds to taunts + homosexual slurs = #notreallyatrue professional."

The next few hours saw dozens of people write to Rossi on the social media site complaining of his language.

Rossi later apologised for his behaviour writing: "I realised how unprofessional and ignorant my comment was by using the word homo...sorry if I offended anyone...I truly apologise."

It is clear from his reply that Rossi was clearly responding in anger and his comments were a made on the spur of the moment.

However, this does not excuse him from making homophobic remarks.

At the touch of a button they were widely spread and broadcast to more than 50,000 people in the Twittersphere.

Rossi knew what he was saying but did not think of the meaning of the word - it was meant as a purely derogatory retort to somebody who did he agree with.

It is a clear example that homophobic language is rife in the game. Footballers need to set an example.

To display homophobic hate in a vile mud slinging contest is simply unacceptable.