BBC pundit Alan Pardew apologises for 'rape' comment

Apologised: The BBC received 35 complaints following Alan Pardew's comments

13 April 2012

The BBC apologised today after one of its football pundits compared a tackle by a Chelsea player to rape.

Alan Pardew, the former Charlton Athletic, West Ham and Reading manager, was describing a challenge by midfielder Michael Essien during Match Of The Day 2 on Sunday night.

After the Ghana international clattered into Manchester City midfielder Ched Evans, 47-year-old Pardew said: "He's a strong boy. He knocks him off - he absolutely rapes him."

No apology was made at the time, but the BBC issued a statement today which said: "Alan Pardew apologises unconditionally for any offence caused by remarks he made in the Match of the Day 2 programme last night."

A total of 35 complaints have been received about the incident, the spokeswoman added.

Pardew is not one of the show's regular analysts, but is used from time to time.

The BBC said no decision had been made about whether he would be invited back on the programme after last night's incident.