From The Guardian:
Ron Atkinson, the ITV football pundit, yesterday resigned after racist comments about the Chelsea player Marcel Desailly were broadcast around the world.
The remarks, made when viewers in Britain were watching post-match analysis of the Monaco v Chelsea Champions League semi-final first leg match, were broadcast in several places in the Middle East, including Dubai and Egypt.
Referring to the underwhelming performance of the French defender, Atkinson said: "He's what is known in some schools as a fucking lazy thick nigger." Atkinson's conversation was picked up by microphones that should have been switched off once the broadcast from the stadium had concluded.
Atkinson also has a weekly column and tactical chalkboard in the Guardian. A spokesman for the Guardian said last night: "We take this matter extremely seriously and will be talking to Ron Atkinson at the earliest opportunity."
ITV statement:
"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.
"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."
Atko himself:
Atkinson also issued a statement whereby he apologised for his actions.
"There's no excusing it. I'm annihilated. This has been the worst day of my career and I've had a few bad ones, let me tell you.
"I can't even remember using the words I'm supposed to have said, but I understand some people heard them, so I can only offer my apologies. It was never my intention to upset anyone.
"After the match I just put down the microphone in front of me and I was so angry at the way Chelsea had thrown away their chance to win I started ranting away about it to no one in particular.
"I don't recall the language I used, but I was certainly complaining.
"It wasn't until I woke up next day and one of my mates called me from Dubai saying he was being asked about remarks picked up on tape that I knew something was wrong. It's not the kind of language I use and I'm astonished and very sorry at how this has happened.
"But nobody has been more involved with promoting black players in the English game over the years than I have been. You can go all the way back to Brendon Batson, Cyrille Regis, Remi Moses and Laurie Cunningham.
"I would never do anything to insult men like that, not deliberately anyway and I hope people remember this.
"I know there'll be some people who will want to slaughter me for a stupid remark no one should have heard. That's bound to happen. But all I can say is sorry. This has been a bad, bad day."