Soccer: Commentator Atkinson apologises over racist remarks

Ron Atkinson offered to apologise in person to the footballer Marcel Desailly yesterday after making racist remarks about him during a match commentary for ITV.

The comments by the former manager of Manchester United and Aston Villa were made off-air after Tuesday's Champion League semi-final, which Chelsea lost 3-1 to Monaco, but were broadcast live to some Middle Eastern countries still taking the ITV feed.

When it was pointed out to him on Wednesday that his description of Desailly as a "fucking lazy thick nigger" had become public and prompted complaints, Atkinson resigned as a football pundit with ITV.

Atkinson said yesterday his comments had been "unacceptable" but he had not known they were being transmitted.

He said: "We didn't hear it until the following day. I was talking to myself. I had taken off the headphones. I was looking at some playbacks on the game. At that stage I was thinking more as a fan. At the end of the day, we all wanted to see them go through to the final and thought they had a wonderful opportunity."

Atkinson added: "I apologise, I owe [Desailly] and anyone else I have offended an apology. It was not meant as a racist comment, it was meant in anger and really because I wanted them to win."

Cyrille Regis, a former West Bromwich Albion striker, said of his former manager: "I've known him for 25 years and I've never known him to use the term he used. He bought, supported and worked with black players and I don't think he's racist. Given the times we live in, I think he's done the right thing but I believe everyone deserves a second chance."

- INDEPENDENT