Zorya executive: Manchester 'full of drunks, with men kissing in the streets'

Zorya Luhansk's chief executive launched a bizarre homophobic rant against Manchester following the Ukrainian side's Europa League visit to Old Trafford last week, outlining his distaste for a "dirty" city with "men kissing in the street."

After his side fell 1-0 to Manchester United courtesy of a goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sergei Rafailov was quoted by BBC North West Tonight discussing the reasons why he was looking forward to making the trip back home.

"Manchester is a dirty city, full of drunks and men kissing in the street," he said, either unaware or, far more likely, unconcerned by the antiquated nature of his rambling.

"When we were in England we were only in Manchester and I did not like the city. It was very dirty. Near the hotel, which was, incidentally, in the city centre, there were homeless people sleeping on the pavement at night.

"I went out for a walk in the evening and went a little further from the centre. It was even worse there. Masses of drunk people. It was bizarre for me to see men walking down the street and kissing. I did not like it."

Rafailov will watch his club meet United once more this season, when the Red Devils make the trip to the Avanhard Stadium on Dec. 8.