The 31-year-old former England international is alleged to have made the comment after receiving a yellow card from referee Frank De Bleeckere in the 10th minute of last night's clash at the Stadium of Light.
UEFA are waiting for reports from the match delegate and the referee before they decide whether to address the complaints, although they are unlikely to take action if the incident is not reported. They expect the report on Thursday.
Peter Tatchell, of gay human rights group OutRage!, said: "We urge Paul to apologise and to express his opposition to homophobia.
"No player, referee or fan should have to endure abuse about their race or sexuality.
Insults
"There should be big fines and match suspensions for players, managers and supporters who wilfully use anti-gay insults.
"Stewards should be ordered to identify fans who shout homophobic abuse and the Football Association should secure the agreement of the police to arrest and charge them."
Tatchell called for Scholes to attend a training course on homophobia if he is found to have made the remark, while also urging the Football Association to tackle the problem in the game.
The FA set up the 'Football For All' scheme four years ago to make the sport as accessible as possible, encompassing a number of problem areas, including homophobia.
"The Football Association works very closely with a number of group to stamp out inappropriate behaviour in the sport," an FA spokesperson told PA Sport.
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I don't know what was said or mouthed but what does Scholes have to answer for.
The problem that needs to be addressed is "who is creating all this fuss about nothing" so that if I happen to be in the shower at the YMCA I can stand facing him/himTV, with my hands appropriately placed."
Say no more, to paraphrase Monty Python.
Tatchell should drop this boring and repetative ' we are poor victims ' tripe that he spouts and get on with his life. If you are determined to find an offence, chances are that you will. Was he REALLY offended, or does this guardian of all things Gay just want to be noticed? I think the latter.He really cuts a pathetic figure. If he cant take what is obviously just a figure of speech, may I suggest that he shuts his little self away from this big, bad world so that his delicate feelings will be hurt no more !
OMG! Is it possible? Some people just can't get enough attention
Is the world going mad!!
Scholes to have a fine or a suspension for insulting gays and Berlin to cancel an opera so they dont offend muslims!!
I feel like an elephant in a glasshop !!
Let's put a leach on every player, gag them and stuff their mouth with cotton and restrict their body language. Football was always exciting and unpredictable in the past.....Gazza, Maradonna and company. OOOOH, football has lost its spice.......
If this is true - and I doubt it - I'm very disappointed with Paul. He has always been very generous and open to both the gay and transgendered community and has been kind enough in the past to attend several of our events. He's spoken frankly on a number of occasions at our gatherings about his own feelings. And I respect that. They were absolutely not homophobic in their tone. I'm sure this is all just media tittle tattle. Carry on Scholesy, we're all behind you
Has PT got nothing better to do?
Does anybody know what was said?
I would like to make it clear that most straight people are offended by bigotry of this kind (whether it was simply a thoughtless outburst or indicative of something more sinister) and would also want to see Paul Scholes censured.
Attend classes my --- what has the world come to? Maybe PT should attend classes in how get a proper job instead of nit picking on trivia.
What's this the PC MU. The football World has finally gone compleatley bonkers. Thell 'em to stick there apology Paul.
tatchell you geek , how about you attend a training course about growing up and stop taking things to heart. get a life and stop making gays be oucasts by directing all attention your selfs, like those pathetic gay policemen on that march. god help the rest of us if we wanted a "straight day and proud of it!".
there would be hell to pay
Silly little people with a silly little agenda.
Iam sick and tired of listening to these minority groups finding anything to complain (bitch) about that we are in someway having a go at them.Why can't these groups go through life and except what is said and this would stop people hating them and their beliefs.
Maybe they realised the Rooney attacks are running out of steam Or the Rooney attacks are about to get another wave.
If Paul Scholes did in fact make the homophobic remark to the referee on Tuesday night that he is alleged to have made, then he should indeed make an unreserved public apology. Perhaps not at Old Trafford, but one of the bars in Canal Street might be approriate. I am sure that this would take the "heat" out of the feeling in the gay community.
Then United might consider joining City who a month ago became the first football club to sign-up to Stonewall's "Diversity Champions" scheme in a serious bid to stamp out homophobia in our national sport, whether it be on the "terraces" or among the club staff - playing and office.
I'm "outraged "that I can't stand at football matches any more...who will represent me,as I'm an oppressed minority?
this is the funniest thing I've read in ages...
What an absolute load of old cobblers. There are too many people like Thetcher in this world today. Where is freedom of speech if people want to express thier feelings on the terraces so be it. As to Paul Scholes and other players using it to rile thier opponents I do not agree with it but neither do I agree with them being fined for it, the club should instill in its players a code of conduct it expects to be adhered to.
If it happened, it is an unfortunate incident, but I cant help but think this is slightly over the top. People say far worse things than what he is alleged to have said and get away without such fuss. I guess because it is Paul Scholes and he plays for Manchester United, but I think football is in danger of losing touch if it makes itself over PC.
hhaha.. what a joke!! Scholes.. do u think u need to apologize?? Concentrate yr own game cause long didnt see u score from your favourite long range!!.
YOUR AVIN A LAUGH.
But what did he say?
PC MEN censor has really gone to work on this story. Lets make it simple shall we. This is not a football story and I think Paul was right to say what he thinks.
This is so pathetic, perhaps lanky people should start there own society and then they can lay claim each time Peter Crouch is abused.