FA back Hodgson after manager apologises over monkey joke

Roy Hodgson has been assured there is no discontent within his squad after details of a joke he told in the England dressing room found their way into the media.

The Football Association has given England manager Hodgson its full backing over the quip about a monkey in space, which he made at half-time during the 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Poland on Tuesday.

Hodgson told the joke to illustrate why his players should give the ball to winger Andros Townsend but was forced to apologise yesterday after claims it was racist.

FA chairman Greg Dyke revealed in a statement no complaint had been made and none of the players were unhappy with Hodgson’s words.

Lord Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, had called for the FA to investigate but the anti-racism campaign group accepted the matter was now concluded.

Dyke said: “Roy Hodgson is a man of the highest integrity, an honourable man who is doing a great job with the England team. He has fully explained to us what he said and the point he was making to the players in the dressing room at half-time on Tuesday night. He has also explained the context in which he made his remarks.

“He has made clear there was no intent to say anything inappropriate, and he was certainly not making any comments with any racist connotation. Importantly, he has apologised for any unintended offence that may have been taken.

“Roy has spoken with Andros Townsend and a number of the players and has been assured there are no problems within the squad.”

Kick It Out said: “Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion campaign, is pleased the FA has investigated this matter swiftly and issued its findings immediately. If there has been no complaint on the back of the investigation then the matter can only be deemed as concluded.”

Townsend, whose father Troy is the mentoring manager for Kick It Out, wrote on Twitter: “I don’t know what all this fuss is about. No offence was meant and none was taken! It’s not even news worthy!”

The joke is one that became popular in US space agency NASA in the 1960s and 1970s after it sent monkeys into space before humans.

One version of the joke is that the first time NASA sends a man up into space a monkey goes with him and does all the skilled technical jobs inside the rocket. Finally the astronaut gets frustrated and radios NASA to ask what he should do.

NASA replies: “Don’t touch anything – just feed the monkey.”