FA stand by England boss Roy Hodgson over monkey comments

The Football Association has given Roy Hodgson its full backing after the England manager was forced to apologise for a joke he made about a monkey in space.

Hodgson made the quip at half-time during Tuesday's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Poland, which was intended to convey the need for England to play the ball more to winger Andros Townsend.

The word 'monkey' can in certain contexts have racist connotations and Lord Ouseley, chairman of anti-racism campaign group Kick It Out, had called on the FA to investigate.

However, the group said this afternoon that if no complaint has been made following the Football Association's investigation into the comments "then the matter can only be deemed as concluded".

FA chairman Greg Dyke spoke out in support of Hodgson, saying in a statement: "Roy Hodgson is a man of the highest integrity, an honourable man who is doing a great job with the England team. He has and deserves the full support of The Football Association.

"He 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."

Kick It Out, which is funded by bodies including the FA and the Premier League, said that English football's governing body had a 'duty' to investigate whether the 66-year-old manager was being racist.

“The FA has a duty to investigate what happened. It is not a hanging offence, no-one is calling for Hodgson to lose his job, but the FA cannot ignore it, offence has been caused," Lord Ouseley told Sky News." All the FA has to do is examine the facts and make a statement. If they do not then there will be recriminations from other players."

Townsend, 22, insisted today on his official twitter account that he was not offended by the tale. He tweeted. “I don’t know what all the fuss is about. No offence was meant and none was taken! It’s not even news worthy!”

The FA had earlier released a statement from Hodgson apologising for comments but insisting that he had meant no offence: “I would like to apologise if any offence has been caused by what I said at half-time.

“There was absolutely no intention on my part to say anything inappropriate. I made this clear straight away to Andros in the dressing room.