It’s more than a decade since Ron Atkinson’s career on terrestrial television all but ended when he was recorded using a racial slur.
The former Manchester United manager has continued to work for MUTV, but his previous commitments with ITV ended after he used the slur while discussing Marcel Desailly when he believed the show was no longer filming.
In his autobiography, as reported by the Mirror, Atkinson admits the comment was “idiotic, stupid and offensive,” but has still attempted to defend his actions.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
“The one thing I can say in my defence was that I was quoting a phrase that at least two managers I knew had used,” Atkinson explains.
“My record as a manager speaks for itself. At Aston Villa I once put out an entire team of black players, apart from Mark Bosnich and Shaun Teale.”
Many have still not forgiven Atkinson for his comments – broadcast in certain parts of the world after international feeds remained on air after a European broadcast – and his latest explanation has not changed too many minds.
“Normally, one of the production team will go over, switch off the microphones and dis- connect the feeds. But tonight she doesn’t,” Atkinson adds, though some have suggested this may be missing the point.
https://twitter.com/vinfox/status/778169023674613760
A woeful attempt to justify words of hate. Effing embarrassing for all involved.
— Kelly Welles @kellywelles.bsky.social (@kelly_welles) September 20, 2016
Never fails to amaze me how much his 'they should have turned the mics off' defence completely misses the point
— Ste Davies (@StevenD1977) September 20, 2016
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