Background

In April 2004, Ron Atkinson referred to Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly as 'what is known in some schools as a fucking lazy, thick nigger'. The former Manchester United manager - affectionately known as Big Ron - thought TV coverage had ended and his microphone was switched off, but his outburst was picked up by an Arab TV channel, screening the game to expatriate soccer fans, who flooded the network with complaints.

He immediately resigned from his £200,000-a-year job with ITV and offered a grovelling apology: 'I must have rocks for brains. I'd like to apologise to Marcel Desailly. I am very disappointed with myself. I was blazing at the end of the game but had no idea my comments were being transmitted.'

In all, Atkinson lost up to £1 million when other commercial projects were shelved by the companies he was associated with. Part of the reason so many people were shocked is because of his track record as a manager. In the late seventies, as manager of West Bromwich Albion, he brought through three black players, Cyrille Regis, Brendan Batson and Laurie Cunningham. For that reason alone in Britain's African Caribbean communities, Atkinson has had more respect than many other managers.

However, he rejected the calls of racist by referring to a call from former Liverpool player John Barnes. 'Barnsey said, “Ron, you're not a racist, coz if I wanted a job and you were in a position to give it to me you'd give it me. People who are racists are the ones who look at you and go [because you're black] you're not getting the job”. He said: “You've always proved who you are with your actions”.'

Atkinson said he realises more than ever the implications of the word he used and feels that he has done his penance. 'Look, all I can say is sorry, I genuinely did not mean to offend anybody. What else can I say? I'm an idiot, but I'm not a racist. I've never used that word before. You know what, if somebody had said what I said about Desailly to one of my players, I would have got 'em by the throat and chinned 'em. Look, I've seen a black guy with the word nigga, or something like that, on his number plate? What's that?'

A TV poll showed that 82 per cent were in favour of giving him a second chance.
From an interview in The Observer, 25 April 2004

The N-word seems to have had a negative connotation from its birth, although the exact meaning has changed over time. The N-word comes from the Portuguese word 'negro', but as a noun or name in relation to African people it can be traced back to the period after 1441, when the Portuguese explorers went down the African coast. By the 17th century, the use of the term 'negro' as synonymous with 'slave' was common in the British colonies in America, and remained that way through the end of the Civil War.
J. Douglas Allen-Taylor from 'Metro Active News and Issues'