Football: Big Ron Atkinson back on the TV

John Barnes insists Ron Atkinson will only talk about football when he appears on the former England winger's television programme next week.

Atkinson, who was forced to resign from his job with ITV following racist remarks about Marcel Desailly, has been booked to appear on John Barnes' Football Night on Five next Thursday.

The invitation has been billed as a chance for the former West Brom and Manchester United manager to resurrect his television career just eight months after his controversial comments.

Barnes, a prominent anti-racism campaigner, said: "Ron Atkinson is coming on the show to talk about football and if you've ever seen the show you will know that is all we do.

"I have said all I have to say about Ron Atkinson in the past and I'm not prepared to comment on it again."

Sportinglife