‘Disappointed’ Batson says Ron had no choice but resign

FORMER West Brom star Brendon Batson admitted he was “very disappointed” with the racist comments made by Ron Atkinson and believes he did the right thing in resigning from media commitments with ITV and The Guardian newspaper.

Atkinson, 65, quit after making derogatory comments about Marcel Desailly off-air following Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final, first leg between Chelsea and Monaco.

Batson, who was signed twice by Atkinson, for Cambridge United and West Brom, insists that his former manager had no choice but to leave the spotlight.

“What he said was racist and offensive but he has done the right thing by apologising and resigning straight away,” said Batson, who is now working for the FA.

“He’s fallen on his sword you might say and everybody just has to get on with it now. I was very disappointed to hear that these comments had come from Ron because he is someone who has been a big supporter of black players in this country.

“I never heard him say anything like that when he was my manager. He gave me the opportunity by signing me twice and he gave a lot of black players a chance when people were questioning their attitude.

“He judged players as players not on whether they were black or white.”

Atkinson’s future in the game looks increasingly bleak after The Guardian dropped his weekly column.

It is thought Atkinson’s comment was broadcast by channels in the Middle East where the live feed had continued to run after full-time.

Atkinson was full of remorse and admitted he had made an error that left him little option but to leave his job at ITV Sport.

“It is unbelievable really. It is nobody’s fault but my own,” Atkinson told BBC Radio Five Live.

“When I finished watching the game, I put my microphone down and am sitting there watching some tapes of what went on for Chelsea. And I must admit I was talking to myself, or with myself, more than anybody, having a pop and unfortunately used a phrase which I really don’t know how I have said that.

“I had the shock of my life the next day when I was told. Nobody else around me heard me say it, unfortunately the feed was still on and there was a microphone on the table which picked up what I had said. For that I apologise.

“To the people I offended, particularly Marcel Desailly, I would apologise for the comments I made.

“It was not an intentional comment, but it was an unfortunate one. I did not even know I had said it. I have worked with more black players, I would think, than any other manager in the country and I bet none of them has ever heard me say it to them.”

A spokesperson for Chelsea said:

“We have asked Marcel Desailly if he wishes to make any comment and he does not wish to.”