Yes, this is true. The writer or director (forget which) said in a conference that she'd intended for them to become gay lovers, but dropped it because of the controversy it would cause.
She also thought it would kill interest in the Sikh/South Asian community, whereas she wanted to make a point about women's role in that society.
If that had happened, this would be yet another film better known for gratuitous girl-on-girl action than the rest of its storyline. And would probably have a longer sales life amongst any men who fancied Keira Knightley!
It's not "Sci-Fi", it's SF!
"Calvinism is a very liberal religious ethos." - Truekiwijoker

YeahI don't think it would have worked quite as well. Probably would have been too much for some people to handle. And added in too many "unusual" things at once. They certainly addressed the issue of cultural barriers to being your homosexual self with the Tony subplot.

Yes it is for real. It was difficult enough for traditional English Asians to stomach an interracial relationship, let alone a homosexual one. And the aspect of her playing football was controversial enough.
I don't know what the female equivalent of a "beard" is, but that's what the male love interest is here.
Personally I think it would have completely changed the market, and excluded its target audience.
It's not "Sci-Fi", it's SF!
"Calvinism is a very liberal religious ethos." - Truekiwijoker

Is that for real?
I thought the whole point was that soccer does not make you a lesbian. And if it did, what's the harm?
If that really was the original ending it must have involved signifiant rewrites! Lots of the plot was about Jules's Mum trying to be supportive but being secretly upset lol and her dad not caring
And the subplot with the gay Indian friend

In the original script, Joe was a gruff, middle-aged Scotsman- based on Alex Ferguson!
Eventually it developed into a traditional (more commercial) love triangle rom-com.

It works because obviously the script that had the leads as lovers isn't the script that was filmed?