Michael Ballack's agent brands Germany team a 'bunch of gays'

Michael Ballack's agent has allegedly labelled members of Germany's national football team a 'bunch of gays'.

Der Spiegel magazine claimed that Michael Becker told journalist Aleksander Osang in an interview conducted before the Wold Cup finals that some of the players in the team were gay.

The agent claimed that a former Germany star was prepared to name the 'bunch of gays' in the national team, and went on to blame the comparatively less aggressive style of play pioneered Joachim Lowe's side on some of his players' homosexuality.

The remarks have caused a rumpus in Germany, where a spokesman for Michael Ballack's new side Bayer Leverkusen said: "At Bayer Leverkusen we have absolutely no resentment towards homosexuals."

The German FA refused to comment on the allegations, as did Loew, who said he "would not stoop so low" as to respond to the comments.

Becker has refused to deny the allegations, but has claimed to have been 'misunderstood'.