Atkinson's remarks 'unacceptable'

The racist comments made by Ron Atkinson which led to his resignation from ITV Sport have been branded “unacceptable” by the director of football’s anti-racism campaign Kick It Out.

Atkinson resigned as a football pundit with ITV Sport after making the comments off-air after Tuesday night’s game between Chelsea and Monaco.

The comments were understood to have been directed at Chelsea and France defender Marcel Desailly, who is black.

It is thought the they were broadcast by channels in the Middle East where the live feed had continued to run after full-time.

Piara Powar, the Kick It Out director, said he was not surprised the commentator had resigned.

“I think it is always disappointing to hear someone of his stature make the type of comment that he has,” he said.

“I have to say, regardless of his record, that sort of terminology is just simply out of bounds.

“We are not interested in running a political correctness campaign, but there are certain things in 2004 which should not be uttered.

“We don’t want people to think this is about political correctness. There are just some descriptions of people that are unacceptable from a figure as important as Ron Atkinson.”

However, Mr Powar stressed that it was important to acknowledge that Atkinson had a good record of working with black players during his time as manager of Aston Villa.

A spokeswoman for the Commission for Racial Equality said: “Obviously it is disappointing that someone in a position such as his should make those comments, but he has resigned – he has done the right thing.”

Atkinson also currently writes a weekly football column for The Guardian newspaper.

In a statement, the newspaper said: “We take this matter extremely seriously and will be talking to Ron Atkinson at the earliest opportunity.”

Atkinson, 65, was full of remorse and admitted he had made an error that left him little option but to leave his job at ITV Sport.

He 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.

He said: “I made a stupid mistake which I regret, and it left me no option but to resign. At the moment I can’t believe I did it. It was just a moment of stupidity.

“I was very frustrated at the end of the game because I thought Chelsea could have won,” added Atkinson.

“I regret making the comments and I apologise to anyone I may have offended.

“If you look at my track record as a manager, I was one of the first managers in the game to give black players a chance.”

A spokesman for ITV Sport said there was little option but to accept Atkinson’s resignation.

“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,” explained the spokesman.

“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.”