Gordon Strachan: Former Scotland boss issues apology for Adam Johnson comments

Gordon Strachan: Former Scotland boss issues apology for Adam Johnson comments
Former Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has apologised for his controversial remarks on Adam Johnson.Strachan has been accused of linking racist abuse with the convicted sex offenders’ situation while appearing on Sky Sports’ The Debate programme.2

Strachan has come under fire for recent comments about Johnson

Johnson has recently been released after serving three years in prison for engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan, and the ex-England winger has not ruled out a return to football.Strachan said: “If he goes on to the pitch and people start calling him names, have we got to do the same as it is to the racist situation?“Is it all right to call him names now after doing his three years – have we got to allow that to happen?”2

Adam Johnson was released from prison after serving three years

In a statement issued through Press Association Sport, Strachan said: “Given the response in the last 24 hours to a point made on The Debate programme on Sky Sports from over a week ago, and having reflected on it personally, it is important for me to address the issues that have arisen.“In no way did I intended to confuse or conflate the very serious issue of racism targeted at footballers with the potential verbal abuse towards a player who has been convicted of a sexual offence.Strachan is an occasional contributor to the programme but Press Association Sport understands he will not be used again.“Having reviewed the particular segment in light of the reaction, I fully acknowledge that the imprecise use of language in my initial response has left open a perception that should easily have been avoided. For that I sincerely apologise.“I should have communicated my point more clearly and without the need to refer to the earlier discussion, during which I was clear in my condemnation of the racist abuse which continues to blight football. “I am also cognisant of the fact that the question asked on a football debate show – whether Adam Johnson will be able to resume his professional football career because of the stigma attached to his crime – did not afford the opportunity to demonstrate the requisite empathy or support towards the survivor.“I would like to take the opportunity to atone for that: to reaffirm my condemnation of the behaviour that led to the player’s conviction, to convey my heartfelt sympathy and support to the survivor, and to apologise for any unintended distress caused.”Strachan is not an employee of Sky so is not subject to its disciplinary protocols, but the broadcaster has distanced itself from the Scot’s remarks.A Sky statement read: “The comments were made by a guest on The Debate. Of course Sky Sports does not support the comments and we’re sorry for the offence they have caused.”

---

Brendan Rodgers: My family's burglary ordeal at Glasgow home was 'horrendous' The football boss says his wife Charlotte and her daughter Lola were left in a "fright" as they barricaded themselves
Brendan Rodgers: Leicester boss says family home burglary in

---

Pepijn Lijnders believes Porto were the only side left in the Champions League who wanted to draw Liverpool so they could get revenge from their previous meeting. Reds first-team coach Lijnders
~ Liverpool vs Porto: Reds coach Pepijn Lijnders explains why

---

FA Cup third round early round-up: Man United edge past Reading, as Brighton and West Ham also win while Stoke left it late to secure a replay with Shrewsbury Posted on March 1, 2019 It's football's favourite weekend of the year - the FA Cup third round.
FA Cup round-up: QPR suffer 48th third-round defeat to equal

---

Raúl Jiménez: "My dream is to score in front of the Kop. I also have a friend at Manchester City who wants me to score, too. If we beat Liverpool it will be Manchester City who win the Premier League." (twitter.com)
Milner desperate to bag Liverpool league title at Man City's

---

Tottenham Hotspur manager, Mauricio Pochettino has reacted to the claim by Barcelona legend, Ronaldinho that Spurs will win this season's Champions League. "Every team who has won the
Spurs press conference live: Mauricio Pochettino on Man City

---

Emiliano Sala did not want to join Cardiff, an audio WhatsApp message from the tragic Argentine to a friend has revealed. Sala died in January just days after completing a £15million move from
Emiliano Sala did NOT want to join Cardiff City

---

Revealed: The time pervert Barry Bennell got 'instant justice' after dad of ex-England ace 'nutted him down a bank' Bert Stewart was watching his son play junior football in the mid 1970s before
'The dam has been busted': Former English soccer players

---

Notts County owner Alan Hardy says he has accepted an offer for the club "from a very credible party". They are currently undertaking due diligence to purchase the Sky Bet League Two strugglers
Alan Hardy has 'accepted an offer' to sell Notts County

---

Boxing Day football: Solskjaer's Manchester United homecoming, Benitez out to topple Liverpool, Tottenham to join title race? We're set for a cracker of a day in the Premier League By talkSPORT
Boxing Day football: Solskjaer's Manchester United homecoming

---

Derek Adams has left his role as manager of Plymouth by mutual consent with just one game to go in the season. Argyle have lost their last five Sky Bet League One games and are currently on a run
Adams leaves Plymouth - Football Paradise

---

West Ham vs Arsenal: Premier League latest score, goals and updates WEST HAM 1-0 ARSENAL | RICE (47) West Ham XI: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Diop, Cresswell,
West Ham press conference live: Pellegrini on Arsenal win

---

Former Chelsea and Leicester defender Robert Huth announces

---

Leaked shirts Real Madrid and Juventus new Adidas kits leaked for next season after Manchester United's was revealed. A leaked image of how Manchester United's kit will look next season

---

World Cup 2018: Sweden 0-2 England highlights. England reached the World Cup semi-final for the first time since Italia 90 as Harry Maguire and Dele Alli struck either side of the interval to beat
November | 2018 | The Ole BallCoach

---