Sky Sports issued an on-air apology after Graeme Souness slammed Erik Lamela for his part in Anthony Martial’s red card during Manchester United’s defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.
Lamela had initially provoked Martial by putting his hand in the Frenchman’s face but the United striker was sent off for swiping back at the Argentine, who fell to the floor with a delayed reaction.
During the half-time break, Souness attacked Lamela for his conduct and blamed the Argentine’s Latin culture for his attempt to get Martial dismissed.
‘If Martial is going then Lamela has to go,’ Souness said.
‘He raises his hands, Martial lashes out, it’s like a tickle across your chops and he’s gone down.
‘It is pathetic. It’s very Latin.
‘If one goes, both have to go. It’s pathetic.
‘Is this what the English game is about? We, the Brits, do it differently.
‘I’ve played in a Latin country, I’ve worked in Latin countries, I know how they see the game.
‘Lamela will sleep well tonight thinking he has done a great piece of work for his team. That is not us.’
‘Earlier in the show we were critical of Erik Lamela’s part in Anthony Martial’s sending off in the United – Spurs game,’ said Jones.
‘We’d like to apologise for any offence that was caused and the stereotyping of the Latin culture.’
