Really!! Hodgson apologises for monkey joke October 17, 2013 Roy Hodgson has been forced to issue an apology after using language which could be considered offensive during his halftime team talk in Englands 2-0 win over Poland. Hodgson told an old joke related to the space race during the 1960s and 70s to urge his players to get the ball to Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend, who had been terrorising the Polish defence. The England coach used the jokes punchline, feed the monkey, to get his point across, reported by both The Sun and The Daily Mirror. The joke has no racial connotations, but relates instead to when monkeys were sent into space by NASA, in the context that the monkey in the shuttle is the more important than the human astronaut. The two papers report the joke differently, with The Daily Mirror publishing: NASA decided theyd finally send a man up in a capsule after sending only monkeys in the earlier missions. 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. It is alleged that at least one player was upset at the use of the phrase, which has led Hodgson to say sorry and insist no offence was meant. I would like to apologise if any offence has been caused by what I said at half-time, Hodgson 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.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 07:17:07 +0000
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