Atkinson: 'My stupid few words have cost me £1m'

An apologetic Ron Atkinson has asked for forgiveness from Britain's black community for his 'lazy fucking thick nigger' comments which were broadcast during an ITV football programme last week.

Atkinson's 'expensive few words' have cost him £1 million, he says. And there could be further losses. He said: 'Football's been my life. I don't want to lose that.'

'Big Ron', 65, who has played for or managed football clubs for nearly 50 years, lost his job as a pundit on ITV, a column in the Guardian and lucrative commercial deals. There was widespread outrage when he was heard to say of Marcel Desailly, the Chelsea defender: 'I've always thought that he has no awareness of danger. He is what is known in some schools as a fucking lazy thick nigger. That is a fucking disgusting performance.' The comments were made after the programme had finished but were broadcast outside Britain.

'To this day I don't remember saying that infamous line,' Atkinson said yesterday. He gave a lengthy exclusive interview at his Worcestershire home to The Observer's Michael Eboda to 'put the whole thing into perspective'. Eboda is editor of the New Nation, Britain's biggest-selling newspaper for the black community, as well as a senior sub-editor on Observer Sport.

'All I can say is that my actions over the years speak louder than my words. I am not a racist.

'I've never, to my knowledge, used the word nigger before. But I can understand how much offence I have caused. If someone had said that about one of my players I'd have chinned him.

'I really want to make it clear to the black community that I'm genuinely very sorry. I've apologised - I don't know what else I can do.'

Ron Atkinson talks with Michael Eboda

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