Lee Dixon was forced to clarify what he meant by the word ‘fag’ on US television over the weekend.
Dixon was on punditry duty for NBC Sports and joked that Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri “might need a fag” during the Blues’ 3-2 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.
Amid concerns from the broadcaster, anchor Arlo White hastened to point out that Dixon was referencing Sarri’s smoking habit rather than using a homophobic slur.
“During the second half, we were talking about Maurizio Sarri – he’s a chain-smoker – and we used a British term for a cigarette,” White clarified. “It’s very familiar in the UK. Sometimes these things are lost in translation. We meant absolutely no offence.”
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Dixon chimed in by saying: “If my choice of words offended anybody, I’d just like to fully apologise.”
Sarri has vowed to curb his smoking habit after being pictured holding a pack of cigarettes during Chelsea’s dramatic win over the Gunners.
As the tension built at Stamford Bridge thanks to a fight-back from the visitors before the break, Sarri insisted that he wasn’t tempted to spark up and even revealed that he hopes to give up smoking for a couple of years.
“I needed half-time and the first half to end, not a cigarette,” Sarri said.
“I will smoke in the evening, not during the match.
“I am going to stop for just one or two years then I will start again.”
