Chicago Bulls ace Joakim Noah apologises for homosexual slur

Joakim Noah today apologised for using a homosexual slur on a fan during Chicago Bulls' 96-85 loss to Miami Heat in last night's NBA Playoffs.

Noah, who is the son of 1983 French Open tennis champion Yannick Noah, was caught on camera saying "F*** you faggot" and now faces a hefty fine.

The 26-year-old endured a frustrating night, scoring one point as the Bulls went behind 2-1 in the series and Noah admitted he let his emotions get the better of him.

"I apologise," said the Frenchman.

"The fan said something to me that I thought was disrespectful, and I got caught up in the moment, and I said some things that I shouldn't have said. I was frustrated and I don't mean no disrespect to anybody. I just got caught up."

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 in April for using the same slur to a referee and it is unclear how the NBA, who are yet to comment, will consider a case which follows just a week after Phoenix Suns executive Rick Welts publicly came out as gay.

Noah's outburst came as Chris Bosh's 34 points helped the Heat maintain their unbeaten post-season home record.

Bosh has been overshadowed by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade since joining the Florida side this season as Toronto Raptors all-time scorer.

And the 26-year-old admitted he has found it hard playing second fiddle to NBA's two biggest stars.

"It was extremely difficult," he said.

"I didn't know how I was going to be effective. I still have to have that aggressiveness as I had then, I'm not going not get as many play calls with two great players in a great team. But I have to have that swagger and believe in myself.