The Italian women’s cup final was called off yesterday following the president of the country’s amateur football association calling players “a bunch of lesbians.”

Brescia were meant to be playing Tavagnacco on Saturday but the association representing the players and coaches confirmed that tie had been scrapped.

Felice Belloli allegedly made the comments last week when discussing funding for the women’s game in Italy.

He said: “That’s enough, we can’t always talk about giving money to this bunch of lesbians.”

Belloli has since denied making those comments, implying that someone had amended the minutes.

But Luisa Rizzitelli, president of the national association for female athletes, is calling for the president to resign. Verona and Italy midfielder Patrizia Panico said the players should protest if the comments are true and wants to be judged by her ability on the field, not her gender.

“If the sentences are true, Belloli’s words are sexist, male chauvinist and ignorant,” Panico said. “And we footballers are ready to protest on the field.

“We all want to be judged for what we do on the field, not for sexual orientation.”