England soccer coach sacked for allegedly disparaging disabled

February 2, 1999
Web posted at: 7:37 p.m. EST (0037 GMT)

LONDON (CNN) -- England's Football Association fired coach Glenn Hoddle on Tuesday following public outrage over comments he reportedly made suggesting the disabled were suffering from sins of a previous life.

"It is with great regret the F.A. and Glenn Hoddle have today agreed to terminate Glenn's contract," said David Davies, the association's acting chief executive. "After more than 24 hours of meetings and discussions, it became apparent to all those concerned that this was the right decision for English football."

Hoddle sparked a storm of condemnation with an interview printed in Saturday's edition of the Times newspaper.

"You and I have been physically given two hands and two legs and a half-decent brain. Some people have not been born like that for a reason. The karma is working from another lifetime," he was quoted as saying.

Hoddle claimed his comments were "misconstrued" by the Times and has threatened to sue the newspaper.

Daughter: Reason 'pathetic'

In addition to Hoddle's own meetings with Football Association officials, his 13-year-old daughter, Zara, sent a letter to the BBC pleading with the association not to fire her father.

"I think this situation is the most pathetic reason for someone to maybe lose their job and to have so much hassle over," she wrote. "If you would take the time to listen to what his explanation is then maybe you would understand it a bit more."

In a dramatic news conference announcing the decision to sack Hoddle, a fan shouting "We want Hoddle back" was wrestled to the floor and disrupted Davies' statement.

"The past few days have been painful for everyone involved," Davies said. "But that is nothing compared to any offense that may have been caused to disabled people in our community and in our country."

"We accept this wasn't Glenn's intention. It is unquestionable, though, that the controversy over whatever was or wasn't said has damaged both Glenn and his employer," Davies said.

Coach apologizes for judgment error

Hoddle appeared later at a news conference of his own and said his contract was terminated by "mutual consent."

"I accept that I made a serious error of judgment in an interview which has caused misunderstanding and pain to a number of people," he said in a statement. "This was never my intention, and for this I apologize."

Hoddle, who led the team for nearly three years, is the first England coach to be fired since Alf Ramsey in 1974. Football Association Technical Director Howard Wilkinson will take temporary control of the team, starting with next week's exhibition game against World Cup champion France.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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