The Football Association has given its “full support” to Roy Hodgson after claims a team talk by the England manager caused offence.
Hodgson was criticised for referring to a joke about a monkey and an astronaut at half-time in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Poland.
Anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out called for an investigation, but FA chairman Greg Dyke backed Hodgson.
“He has and deserves the full support of the Football Association,” he said.
“Roy Hodgson is a man of the highest integrity, an honourable man who is doing a great job with the England team.”
Hodgson was reported to have made the comments when trying to explain to right-back Chris Smalling that he needed to find winger Andros Townsend more.
Hodgson later apologised but Townsend, 22, tweeted: “I don’t know what all this fuss is about. No offence was meant and none was taken!”
Dyke added: “He [Hodgson] has fully explained to us what he said and the point he was making to the players in the dressing room at half-time on Tuesday night. He has also explained the context in which he made his remarks.
“He has made clear there was no intent to say anything inappropriate, and he was certainly not making any comments with any racist connotation. Importantly, he has apologised for any unintended offence that may have been taken.
“Roy has spoken with Andros Townsend and a number of the players since the game and he has been assured there are no problems within the squad whatsoever.
“Additionally the FA has not had a complaint from any squad member or player representative, and we have today talked extensively to the squad. The FA has been assured by the players that there are no problems and they understand the point Roy was making and the context in which he was speaking.
“We will be making no further comment on this story and will now be giving Roy and the team our full support as we prepare for the World Cup in Brazil.”
England striker Wayne Rooney showed his support for 66-year-old Hodgson on Twitter, writing: “Seen the story on Roy this morning. He [has] done nothing wrong. This is ridiculous.”
Former England striker Stan Collymore, 42, also defended the former Fulham and West Brom boss on Twitter, suggesting the row undermines moves to eradicate racism from the sport.
“Demeans every anti-racism campaigner by having cheap pop at RH [Roy Hodgson] who said nothing wrong. Makes campaigners seem over-PC and petty. They’re not,” he said.
However, Piara Powar, executive director of Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare), told the BBC that Hodgson had got it wrong.
“This was a silly phrase to use in a diverse workforce,” said Powar.
“I think some players will see it as a reflection of the type of language still used by some coaches and some attitudes that still prevail.”
BBC SPORT
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