‘MEANT NO OFFENCE TO WI GREATS’

LONDON: Geoffrey Boycott made a grovelling apology on Tuesday for remarking he needed to “black up his face” to get a knighthood at an event last week.

The 76-year-old astonished his audience during a question and answer session at last week’s first Test with the West Indies.

Boycott said knighthoods had been bestowed on West Indian cricketers like “confetti”.

“Mine’s been turned down twice. I’d better black me face,” Boycott is reported to have said according to a guest at the event cited by The Daily Mirror.

“Speaking at an informal gathering I was asked a question and I realise my answer was unacceptable,” he tweeted.

“I meant no offence but what I said was clearly wrong and I apologise unreservedly.

“I have loved West Indian cricket my whole life and have the utmost respect for its players.”