15 January 2012 Last updated at 11:09 ET

Sacked Oxford striker Lee Steele apologises for homophobic tweet

Lee Steele wrote the tweet about former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas

A footballer sacked by Oxford City after posting a homophobic remark on a social media website has apologised for his comments.

Striker Lee Steele, 38, made a remark on Twitter about the gay former Wales rugby player Gareth Thomas.

Tweeting about Thomas's appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, Steele, 38, wrote a "strongly-worded" message about being in a bed near the contestant.

He apologised in a statement released by his new club Nantwich Town FC.

It read: "[The remarks] were made tongue in cheek at the time and Lee would like to apologise for this and any offence that this has caused and would also like to stress that he is not homophobic in any way."

Oxford City manager Mike Ford earlier said calling the player to tell him he was sacked had been the toughest thing he had ever done in football but he felt that the Southern-Premier League club had made the right decision.

He added: "He's made a homophobic comment, that doesn't necessarily mean he's homophobic."