Hansen sorry for ‘coloured’ comment

MATCH of the Day pundit Alan Hansen has apologised after describing black players as “coloured” during a debate on the show.

The former Liverpool defender used the word on Wednesday night while discussing recent racism rows involving Luis Suarez and John Terry.

He said: “I unreservedly apologise for any offence caused. This was never my intention and I deeply regret the use of the word.”

England football captain John Terry was told on Wednesday that he faces criminal charges over video footage appearing to show him shout an offensive comment at Queens Park Rangers’ defender Anton Ferdinand.

The multimillionaire Chelsea defender, who faces a maximum fine of £2,500 if convicted, said he was “disappointed” as the Crown Prosecution Service announced he would appear before magistrates in February accused of a racially-aggravated public order offence.

Suarez, who plays upfront for Hansen’s former club, was given an eight-match ban by the Football Association on Tuesday, after being found guilty of misconduct for using insulting words to Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Hansen’s remarks on the show sparked an online storm. A fan, who tweets as gunnerblog, wrote: “Anyone else’s jaw hit the floor as Alan Hansen said racism wasn’t a problem in English football because of success of ‘coloured’ players?”

But he was defended by some fans with one saying “he’s not racist, he’s just old skool”.

Hansen is not the first pundit to run into trouble. Earlier this year, Tony Cascarino sparked outrage after he described a player as having a “holocaust” of a game on Sky Sports News during a match between Manchester United and Arsenal.