Former England footballer Trevor Sinclair has apologised after he posted a “disgusting” tweet following the Queen’s death, amid calls for him to be sacked from his job as a pundit.
TalkSPORT - the radio station where Sinclair works - says the former winger will not appear on air while it is investigating the matter, while Sinclair appears to have deleted his Twitter account.
The now-deleted tweet read: “Racism was outlawed in England in the 60’s & its been allowed to thrive so why should black & brown mourn!! #queen”
In a new tweet posted on Friday evening, Sinclair wrote: “My tweet yesterday was ill timed at a time when the royal family, and many around the world were grieving for the Queen. I apologise for any offence caused to those mourning The Queen.”
My tweet yesterday was ill timed at a time when the royal family, and many around the world were grieving for the Queen. I apologise for any offence caused to those mourning The Queen.
— Trevor Sinclair (@trevor8sinclair) September 9, 2022
Responding to Sinclair’s tweet, TalkSPORT wrote on Twitter: “We have been trying to make contact with Trevor Sinclair following opinions expressed on his Twitter account. talkSPORT does not support those views expressed and is investigating the matter.”
It added: “Trevor Sinclair will not be on air while we carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances and timing of his tweet. While we respect the right of Trevor Sinclair to express his opinion on his personal twitter account, talkSPORT does not endorse the tweet.
Social media users are widely calling for Sinclair, 49, to be sacked as a sports commentator immediately, branding the tweet “disgusting” and ”tasteless”.
Responding to TalkSPORT’s tweet, Leighton Williams wrote: “He has to be sacked. Failure to sack him will cost you a huge number of listeners and sponsors.”
Retired English footballer Graham Roberts, who formerly played for clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers, Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion, added: “You should sack him for that comment is disgraceful”.
Meanwhile former professional Anthony Gerrard wrote: “Trevor Sinclair has just ruined his career as a media pundit, radio presenter and football coach in about 25 words! Taxi for Trevor.”
Some sports fans are calling for TalkSPORT to be boycotted “until he is sacked”.
While Sinclair’s tweet has been widely condemned across the globe, a handful of people have defended him, citing the “right to free speech”.
Another man wrote: “Absolutely nothing wrong with what he said. We have free speech in this country.”
Sinclair, who played 12 times for England, formerly played in the Premier League for Queens Park Rangers, West Ham and Manchester City.
He also played in the Football League for Blackpool and Cardiff City, before retiring in 2008.
He has since largely worked as a pundit on radio and TV, including for BBC Sport.
A representative for Sinclair has been contacted for comment.
