fifthcolumnblue
Vital Football Legend
One day after qualification and the media onslaught on England begins.
The joke may have been ill-timed and ill-advised, but I don't for one minute believe it was intended as racist.
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England boss Hodgson caught up in row over 'monkey' joke and Andros Townsend
At least one player believed to have felt gag aimed to stress passing to the winger against Poland had racist connotations
Roy Hodgson has become involved in a bizarre row over a space monkey joke and England World Cup hero Andros Townsend.
England boss Hodgson - who is believed to be upset over reaction to the joke - told it in the Wembley changing rooms at half-time of the Three Lions’ dramatic qualifying victory over Poland on Tuesday.
It was intended to illustrate the idea that Hodgson wanted right-back Chris Smalling to play the ball more often to Townsend, who was terrorising the Polish defence.
But it is believed at one least one player was shocked, because he thought it carried racist connotations.
Both Hodgson and the FA are mortified that what they insist is a horrible misunderstanding has become an issue.
"I would like to apologise if any offence has been caused by what I said at half-time," he said.
"There was absolutely no intention on my part to say anything inappropriate. I made this clear straight away to Andros in the dressing room.
"I also spoke to Andros again on Wednesday. He has assured me and The FA he did not take any offence, and understood the point I was making in the manner I intended."
The joke, which Hodgson is believed to have told in full, is one that was popular at American space agency NASA.
“NASA decided they’d finally send a man up in a capsule after sending only monkeys in the earlier missions,” the joke goes.
“They fire the man and the monkey into space.
“The intercom crackles, 'Monkey, fire the retros.'
“A little later, 'Monkey, check the solid fuel supply.'
“Later still, “Monkey, check the life support systems for the man.'
“The astronaut takes umbrage and radioes NASA, 'When do I get to do something?'
“NASA replies, 'In 15 minutes - feed the monkey.'”
Hodgson was trying to use the joke to emphasise to the England team that Townsend, who was having another brilliant game, held the key to victory.
Townsend and his father, Troy - who works for the anti-racist Kick It Out organisation - are not thought to have been angered by the remarks, but could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.
Hodgson, who achieved perhaps the best moment of his career on Tuesday when England qualified for next year’s World Cup, is upset about the furore.
The joke is insensitive, perhaps, in the current highly charged racial climate in football.
But Hodgson is an urbane, enlightened man, who may now be regretting using the wrong analogy.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-boss-hodgson-caught-up-2460799
The joke may have been ill-timed and ill-advised, but I don't for one minute believe it was intended as racist.
-----
England boss Hodgson caught up in row over 'monkey' joke and Andros Townsend
At least one player believed to have felt gag aimed to stress passing to the winger against Poland had racist connotations
Roy Hodgson has become involved in a bizarre row over a space monkey joke and England World Cup hero Andros Townsend.
England boss Hodgson - who is believed to be upset over reaction to the joke - told it in the Wembley changing rooms at half-time of the Three Lions’ dramatic qualifying victory over Poland on Tuesday.
It was intended to illustrate the idea that Hodgson wanted right-back Chris Smalling to play the ball more often to Townsend, who was terrorising the Polish defence.
But it is believed at one least one player was shocked, because he thought it carried racist connotations.
Both Hodgson and the FA are mortified that what they insist is a horrible misunderstanding has become an issue.
"I would like to apologise if any offence has been caused by what I said at half-time," he said.
"There was absolutely no intention on my part to say anything inappropriate. I made this clear straight away to Andros in the dressing room.
"I also spoke to Andros again on Wednesday. He has assured me and The FA he did not take any offence, and understood the point I was making in the manner I intended."
The joke, which Hodgson is believed to have told in full, is one that was popular at American space agency NASA.
“NASA decided they’d finally send a man up in a capsule after sending only monkeys in the earlier missions,” the joke goes.
“They fire the man and the monkey into space.
“The intercom crackles, 'Monkey, fire the retros.'
“A little later, 'Monkey, check the solid fuel supply.'
“Later still, “Monkey, check the life support systems for the man.'
“The astronaut takes umbrage and radioes NASA, 'When do I get to do something?'
“NASA replies, 'In 15 minutes - feed the monkey.'”
Hodgson was trying to use the joke to emphasise to the England team that Townsend, who was having another brilliant game, held the key to victory.
Townsend and his father, Troy - who works for the anti-racist Kick It Out organisation - are not thought to have been angered by the remarks, but could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.
Hodgson, who achieved perhaps the best moment of his career on Tuesday when England qualified for next year’s World Cup, is upset about the furore.
The joke is insensitive, perhaps, in the current highly charged racial climate in football.
But Hodgson is an urbane, enlightened man, who may now be regretting using the wrong analogy.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-boss-hodgson-caught-up-2460799
