Big Ron resigns from ITV after racist comments off-air

FOOTBALL pundit Ron Atkinson has resigned from ITV Sport after making racist comments off-air following Tuesday night's Champions League game between Chelsea and Monaco, a spokesman for the channel said last night.

The comments were broadcast by channels in the Middle East where the live feed had continued to run after full-time.

Atkinson was said to be "devastated and very sorry" for any offence caused and offered his resignation to ITV.

Atkinson made the comments after the game in a conversation with fellow ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley.

The comments were understood to have been directed at Chelsea's Marcel Desailly, who is black.

Atkinson is believed to have called the defender a "f***ing lazy nigger".

The ITV spokesman said: "We do not in any way condone the comments in question, which were not broadcast as part of ITV's coverage but were made in an off-air conversation after the game."

The spokesman said: "It was a regrettable lapse by a respected and experienced broadcaster who has been part of the ITV sports team for many years.

"We have discussed the situation with Ron Atkinson, who is devastated and very sorry for any offence caused by his comments.

"He immediately offered his resignation which we have accepted."

The 65-year-old former Manchester United and Aston Villa manager was also insistent that his track record in football, particularly in introducing black players while manager at West Bromwich Albion, proved that he was not a racist.

"I was very frustrated at the end of the game because I thought Chelsea could have won," said Atkinson. "I regret making the comments and I apologise to anyone I may have offended."

Meanwhile, the wagons are being circled at Stamford Bridge.

The fallout from their humiliating Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to Monaco is everywhere with manager Claudio Ranieri fighting battles on all fronts, and Marcel Desailly to face the wrath of an UEFA charge of improper conduct.

Yet there is no white flag of surrender. "We are not out of it yet," John Terry vowed yesterday adding that he and his team mates would use the comebacks which occurred in the quarter-finals when Deportivo La Coruna scored four goals to beat AC Milan while Monaco put three past Real Madrid as their inspiration.

"We are not out yet, not by a long way," said Terry. "We are all positive disappointed, but positive. There were some big comebacks in the quarter-finals so that gives us inspiration. When we get them back to Stamford Bridge, with the support of our fans behind us, anything is possible.

"It is going to be tough because they showed they are a good side and disciplined, but we are going to be positive. Obviously everyone is devastated, but it's only half-time."

But they may have to plan without French international Desailly following a spat with Fernando Morientes. The defender's case will be held tomorrow when UEFA's control and disciplinary body will review video evidence of the incident.

A suspension is likely, meaning the French international will miss the second leg at Stamford Bridge on May 5. UEFA confirmed in a statement that "the control and disciplinary body has instigated disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly for improper conduct."

A UEFA spokesman said: "We have opened a disciplinary case and the control and disciplinary body will deal with this case on Friday. They will look at all the evidence, including from television."

The incident did not lead to any action from referee Urs Meier, but television pictures showed Desailly's elbow making contact with Morientes' face.

Morientes believes Desailly should be punished for the second-half incident. "I think there must be a sanction against Desailly given what happened and what the video review shows," said Morientes. "I'm not spiteful. It's just a matter of logic."

Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen claimed Chelsea had only themselves to blame after what he described as an "unacceptable" second-half performance, when they played for 37 minutes against 10 men.

"We slacked off in the second-half and lost our shape," said the Icelandic international. "We didn't play with wide men any more and that's about it. I think it was our own wrong-doing, rather than the sending-off inspiring them.

"We slackened off and that's unacceptable really. You can't fault the work-rate, but we seemed to be working as individuals, rather than as a team, in the second-half.

"When you lose your shape as a team, you can do all the running you want. We're disappointed with our second-half performance and it's disappointing to have lost this game as, coming in at half-time, we felt confident.

His sentiments were shared by defender Mario Melchiot.

"Immediately after the match on Tuesday I was feeling like we had definitely blown the opportunity, but my emotions have calmed down now and I am seeing things more clearly. I now really believe we can get the result we need.

"Chelsea can still make the final. I truly believe that."