DAVID JONES has apologised to Gary Neville and Sky Sports viewers for shutting down a heated discussion about racism.
The Super Sunday anchor butted in after the former Manchester United full-back delivered a speech about racism in football, politics and society.
David Jones apologised on social media for appearing to undermine Gary Neville’s on-air speech about racismCredit: Sky Sports
Credit: Twitter
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was the target of an alleged racist incident, where he reported monkey gestures made at him to the referee and had a lighter thrown at him.
Neville, who was co-commenting alongside Martin Tyler, spent much of the rest of the game commenting on the scourge of racism in football, and continued during the post-match analysis.
After he had spoken in the studio, Jones said: “I am compelled to say they are the opinions of you, Gary Neville, and not those of Sky Sports, that is my duty.”
Neville quickly replied: “Do you not agree with it then Dave?
Jones replied: “Whether I do or don’t is completely irrelevant, I’m here to try and hold a balanced debate.”
The interruption was immediately criticised by fans on social media for undermining Neville’s monologue.
Jones tweeted after the show: “I’m so sorry to have spoiled what was such an important discussion on racism tonight.
“I had to intervene when Gary suggested the two main political parties were to blame — I didn’t make that clear enough. For that I apologise unreservedly.”
Sky tweeted: “Sky Sports is against racism of all forms in any walk of life and will continue to give a platform to eradicating this vile behaviour from society.”
Jones is also tied by the regulations of broadcasting watchdog Ofcom on matters of impartiality, because Neville referred to politics.
Their rules say: “Due impartiality on matters of political or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy must be preserved on the part of any person providing a service.”
What Neville said before Jones interrupted
WE have a racism problem in Premier League in England and the Premier League have got to step up. They hide behind the FA on this issue.
They push the disciplinary and other issues over the to FA.
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we’ve just had a general election in this country where both main parties and the leaders of both main parties are accused constantly over the last month of fuelling racism and accepting racism in their parties.
So if we’re accepting it at the highest office in the country, we’re not just talking about it at a micro level, we’re talking about it at an absolute enormous level.
It’s the same here today, we’ve seen an incident today where it’s down to one individual person.
But it’s a far bigger problem than that, there has to be something that happens quickly.
We may have to empower the players to walk off the pitch and stop the entertainment whilst it’s happening.
Because that’s the only way I can see it happening.
Ultimately I didn’t walk off the pitch when Ashley [Cole] was abused 15 years ago and you could say ultimately it’s alright now for me to sit here in my ivory tower of a commentary and say players should walk off the pitch.
But ultimately I’m ashamed of not doing it 15 years ago but I’d be proud of players now to empower them to think ‘do something about it, take it into your own hands.’
The PFA have got to do something about it, the PFA have got to react to protect football players in this country.
And football players in this country are receiving abuse while playing football and doing their jobs. That is unacceptable.
So the PFA might have to take it in their own hands and the Premier League and the FA, and stop pointing the finger towards the Bulgarian FA and Spanish FA.
Because we have to deal with our own ship here.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
