Reginald D Hunter's use of the 'n-word' at a football awards showpiece left some audience members "really uncomfortable".

16:24, UK, Monday 29 April 2013

Reginald D Hunter

The chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association has apologised for a comedian's controversial routine at the organisation's awards ceremony, admitting it left him "embarrassed".

Black American comedian Reginald D Hunter frequently used the word 'n*****' during his set at the annual showpiece event, held at London's Grosvenor Hotel.

At the start of his routine, the performer explained he uses the term for people of all races, employing it at one point to refer to Uruguayan player Luis Suarez.

And while PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle refused to criticise Hunter, he questioned the process that led to the comedian being booked.

"I apologise unreservedly," he told Sky News.

"There are some people who found it funny and some who didn't. Some people found it uncomfortable and some people found it disgusting.

"My personal opinion is that I'm embarrassed that we put it up there. It was really uncomfortable and I think a lot of people found it quite embarrassing."

Clarke Carlisle

English football has suffered from high-profile racial abuse cases involving Liverpool's Suarez and former England captain John Terry over the last two years.

Mr Carlisle, also an ambassador for the anti-racism 'Kick It Out' campaign, said: "It's a really delicate issue and one we've had real problems with, so I really can't understand why we have paid someone who uses a term like that so flippantly.

"It wasn't a comedy club, it was a showpiece event that should be a celebration of professional football. It's not what the night is about.

"I'm not going to lambast Reginald. That's his act and we should have been aware of that. We simply shouldn't have booked him. I would like to have discussions about what our vetting process was."

Some have argued that the use of the word 'n*****' can be acceptable if used by black people who, it is suggested, have the right to take ownership of the term.

But Mr Carlisle said: "He tried to take the sting out of it with his opening gambit (in which he explains he uses the word for everyone, irrespective of colour), but it didn't.

"It is something I feel really strongly about. How can we appropriate something that is so derogatory?"

Reginald D Hunter has been contacted for comment but is yet to respond.

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