Carles Puyol apologises for 'clumsy joke' reply to Iker Casillas deleted 'I'm gay' tweet

Former Real Madrid and FC Porto goalkeeper Casillas said he was "hacked" on Sunday afternoon after a tweet was posted from his account that read: "I hope you respect me: I'm gay." The hashtag felizdomingo, which means happy Sunday in Spanish, was also used.

An hour later and the tweet was removed from Casillas' account. The 39-year-old former Spain international soon apologised to the LGBT community, saying: "Hacked account. Luckily everything in order. Apologies to all my followers. And of course, more apologies to the LGBT community."

In response to the initial 'I'm gay' post, Casillas' former Spain teammate Carles Puyol replied: "It's time to tell our story, Iker", adding a love heart and kissing emoji. Puyol also deleted his reply.

The pair have received widespread criticism for the social media posts.

Josh Cavallo, who became the first openly gay active professional footballer in October last year, branded their antics as "disappointing and "beyond disrespectful" given their standing in the game.

"It’s a difficult journey that any LGBTQ+ ppl have to go through. To see my role models and legends of the game make fun out of coming out and my community is beyond disrespectful."

Hours after both posts were deleted and Puyol has apologised for his actions.

"I have made a mistake," he wrote on Twitter. "Sorry for a clumsy joke with no bad intentions and totally out of place. I understand that it may have hurt sensitivities. All my respect and support for the LGTBIQA+ community."

After the posts emerged, reports in Spain claimed it may have been a hoax amid reports that Casillas is fed up of speculation surrounding his dating life.

In March last year, Casillas announced his split with Sara Carbonero after 11 years together.

“Both Sara and I feel enormously proud of the family we are and of having shared a love that has filled us with happiness during all our years together," he said on Instagram.

“Today our love as a couple takes different but not distant paths since we’ll continue together in the marvellous task of continuing to be devoted parents as we have been up until now.

“This is a well-considered decision which we have taken through mutual agreement.”

He added: “The respect, affection and friendship will remain forever.

“Our priority is, through affection and compromise, to share the wellbeing and education of our children and protect them so they grow in a stable and healthy environment.

“With these words we ask you please to respect our privacy in this moment of change.

“These will be the only public words we issue for the time being and in the future. Many thanks for your understanding.”

Last month, Casillas rejected claims he was dating Gerard Pique's ex-wife Shakira.