A BBC Sport editor has been forced to issue an apology after being filmed mocking the marriage of Leicester City’s owner after he was killed in a crash. In a clip, which was filmed beside a memorial for Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others, Dan Roan was heard speaking about the chairman’s assistant. Caught mid conversation, he said: ‘As opposed to the mistress who died in the crash, otherwise known as “member of staff”, i.e. “mistress”.’
Apologising about the comments made, which also referred to ‘loyalty’, editor Roan said: ‘Just want to say sorry for some comments made in a private, off-air conversation earlier with a colleague. ‘Absolutely no offence intended.’
The clip, which was uploaded to social media, caused outrage after it was heard by fans. One said: ‘Someone is getting sacked in the morning… pretty tasteless.’ Another added: ‘To stand by the memorial for those that died in the tragic accident at Leicester City and talk in this way is truly vile and disgusting in my opinion.’
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘This was an ill judged comment made in a private off air conversation for which Dan has apologised.’ The chairman died alongside passengers Izabela Roza Lechowiczas, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, and pilot Eric Swaffer in the crash on Saturday.