Surprise surprise, the 'NASA joke' stuff was a cover story. Hodgson referred to Townsend as a monkey, without context.
But Sportsmail can reveal that concerns within the boardroom also now extend to the Roy Hodgson ‘monkey’ controversy, and in particular the confusion that remains over what was actually said in the England dressing room last Tuesday.
Board members, and indeed members of the media, have been led to believe that Hodgson directed his ‘feed the monkey’ comment at Andros Townsend within the context of a joke he had told. Indeed, the board were informed that the England manager had told the joke — about a NASA astronaut and his simian crew member — in its entirety before instructing Chris Smalling to get the ball more frequently to Townsend.
In an interview he subsequently gave to this newspaper, Hodgson also referenced the joke. ‘I admit that some of the younger players may not have understood the reference to the monkey in space,’ he said, and on Sunday column inches in newspapers continued to defend him on these grounds.
But it has slowly emerged that Hodgson had not told any such joke prior to making his monkey comment and that has left members of the FA board questioning the accuracy of what they were told before Dyke rushed in to defend the England manager with a statement on Thursday.
Board members, and indeed members of the media, have been led to believe that Hodgson directed his ‘feed the monkey’ comment at Andros Townsend within the context of a joke he had told. Indeed, the board were informed that the England manager had told the joke — about a NASA astronaut and his simian crew member — in its entirety before instructing Chris Smalling to get the ball more frequently to Townsend.
In an interview he subsequently gave to this newspaper, Hodgson also referenced the joke. ‘I admit that some of the younger players may not have understood the reference to the monkey in space,’ he said, and on Sunday column inches in newspapers continued to defend him on these grounds.
But it has slowly emerged that Hodgson had not told any such joke prior to making his monkey comment and that has left members of the FA board questioning the accuracy of what they were told before Dyke rushed in to defend the England manager with a statement on Thursday.
The dressing-room ‘source’ was said to have been alarmed by the initial incident and distinctly unimpressed by the explanation that was initially prompted by coach Gary Neville, who immediately realised Hodgson needed to clarify his comments. Only then, Sportsmail now understands, did Hodgson reference the NASA joke.
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