Mackie apologises for racial abuse

The Reading defender John Mackie has publicly apologised for racially abusing the Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba after Saturday's First Division match. Mackie has also voluntarily donated two weeks' wages to the Kick Racism Out of Football campaign.

"I would like to apologise for the comment I made to Carl after the game which I now appreciate may have caused racial offence," Mackie said. "I made the comment while I was still pumped up and after a tussle with Carl.

"I deeply regret making that comment and know that I've let myself, my team-mates and Reading Football Club down. I am not a racist. I have many friends from different ethnic backgrounds, both at Reading Football Club and elsewhere. I wish I could turn back the clock, but I cannot and all I can do is unreservedly apologise to Carl Asaba and everyone else. I can assure you all that I will never again make such a comment."

Mackie was supported at a press conference, called by Reading yesterday morning, by his team-mates John Salako and Tony Rougier. "To me racism is a deep hatred of a creed or colour and John is not racist," Salako said. "It's a man's game and a lot of things go on."

Rougier said: "John is a great friend of mine. He's the first to kiss me on the head when I score a goal. He is a solid guy."

The Reading manager, Alan Pardew, said: "We were aware that there was an incident after the game and we were dealing with it inside the club. It's unfortunate that Sheffield United went public before we had a chance to do that.

"We are not reacting to the fact that Sheffield United are about to complain. I know Carl personally and I have spoken to him and he understands that these things happen."

It is understood that Asaba himself did not wish to pursue the matter but that the Sheffield United manager, Neil Warnock, and some of his players did.

United announced yesterday that they will make a formal complaint to both the Football Association and the Professional Footballers' Association.