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Roy Hodgson apologises after 'space monkey' joke to England players 'Space monkey': Hodgson apologises for Andros Townsend joke
(about 1 hour later)
Andros Townsend has defended Roy Hodgson after the England manager was forced into making an apology over a joke he made about a space monkey and the Tottenham Hotspur winger.Andros Townsend has defended Roy Hodgson after the England manager was forced into making an apology over a joke he made about a space monkey and the Tottenham Hotspur winger.
Hodgson has been embroiled in the bizarre race row after it was reported on Wednesday night that he told the joke at half-time during England's 2-0 win against Poland on Tuesday, in an attempt to encourage right-back Chris Smalling to pass more frequently to Townsend.Hodgson has been embroiled in the bizarre race row after it was reported on Wednesday night that he told the joke at half-time during England's 2-0 win against Poland on Tuesday, in an attempt to encourage right-back Chris Smalling to pass more frequently to Townsend.
I don't know what all this fuss is about. No offence was meant and none was taken! It's not even news worthy!I don't know what all this fuss is about. No offence was meant and none was taken! It's not even news worthy!
Hodgson has been mortified that the remark could be perceived as racist and issued a statement to apologise for any offence that had been caused. Townsend has since tweeted to say: "I don't know what all this fuss is about. No offence was meant and none was taken! It's not even news worthy!"Hodgson has been mortified that the remark could be perceived as racist and issued a statement to apologise for any offence that had been caused. Townsend has since tweeted to say: "I don't know what all this fuss is about. No offence was meant and none was taken! It's not even news worthy!"
"I would like to apologise if any offence has been caused by what I said at half-time," said Hodgson. "There was absolutely no intention on my part to say anything inappropriate. I made this clear straight away to Andros in the dressing room."I would like to apologise if any offence has been caused by what I said at half-time," said Hodgson. "There was absolutely no intention on my part to say anything inappropriate. I made this clear straight away to Andros in the dressing room.
"I also spoke to Andros again on Wednesday. He has assured me and the FA he did not take any offence, and understood the point I was making in the manner I intended.""I also spoke to Andros again on Wednesday. He has assured me and the FA he did not take any offence, and understood the point I was making in the manner I intended."
Hodgson gained further support on Thursday from Wayne Rooney, who insisted the manager had his players' full support, despite the Sun claiming that at least one player had been offended.Hodgson gained further support on Thursday from Wayne Rooney, who insisted the manager had his players' full support, despite the Sun claiming that at least one player had been offended.
The Manchester United forward wrote on Twitter: "Seen the story on roy this morning. He done nothing wrong. This is ridiculous."The Manchester United forward wrote on Twitter: "Seen the story on roy this morning. He done nothing wrong. This is ridiculous."
Seen the story on roy this morning. He done nothing wrong. This is ridiculous.Seen the story on roy this morning. He done nothing wrong. This is ridiculous.
The supposed joke is one that was popular at American space agency Nasa. It goes:The supposed joke is one that was popular at American space agency Nasa. It goes:
"Nasa decided they'd finally send a man up in a capsule after sending only monkeys in the earlier missions. They fire the man and the monkey into space. The intercom crackles: 'Monkey, fire the retros.' A little later: 'Monkey, check the solid fuel supply.' Later still: 'Monkey, check the life support systems for the man.' The astronaut takes umbrage and radios Nasa: 'When do I get to do something?' Nasa replies: 'In 15 minutes – feed the monkey.'"
"Nasa decided they'd finally send a man up in a capsule after sending only monkeys in the earlier missions. They fire the man and the monkey into space. The intercom crackles: 'Monkey, fire the retros.' A little later: 'Monkey, check the solid fuel supply.' Later still: 'Monkey, check the life support systems for the man.' The astronaut takes umbrage and radios Nasa: 'When do I get to do something?' Nasa replies: 'In 15 minutes – feed the monkey.'"
Racism is hard enough to keep on the agenda as it is without making everyone think a legitimate space tale should be a cause for offence.Racism is hard enough to keep on the agenda as it is without making everyone think a legitimate space tale should be a cause for offence.
Stan Collymore, the former England striker, said it was ridiculous for anyone to complain about the joke. "Someone leaked it and I bet 100 per cent confident that no player was offended, not one," Collymore wrote on Twitter. "If they are, do explain why. Racism is hard enough to keep on the agenda as it is without making everyone think a legitimate space tale should be a cause for offence."Stan Collymore, the former England striker, said it was ridiculous for anyone to complain about the joke. "Someone leaked it and I bet 100 per cent confident that no player was offended, not one," Collymore wrote on Twitter. "If they are, do explain why. Racism is hard enough to keep on the agenda as it is without making everyone think a legitimate space tale should be a cause for offence."
However, Piara Powar, the executive director of the Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare) organisation, suggested Hodgson was wrong to use the term. He wrote on Twitter: "Hodgson used very silly term within a diverse team environment. He should know better. Assume it wasn't a Freudian slip, no evidence to suggest it was. Some players will see it as reflection of the crude language still used by some coaches and attitudes that still prevail."However, Piara Powar, the executive director of the Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare) organisation, suggested Hodgson was wrong to use the term. He wrote on Twitter: "Hodgson used very silly term within a diverse team environment. He should know better. Assume it wasn't a Freudian slip, no evidence to suggest it was. Some players will see it as reflection of the crude language still used by some coaches and attitudes that still prevail."
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