I have let you down and have work to do to regain your trust

For obvious reasons, it has been a tough few days personally and professionally. I have no wish to go over the details regarding last weekend’s incident which followed the Manchester United v Liverpool fixture, but I want to take this opportunity to address Telegraph

Sport readers directly and reiterate my sense of regret.

I take immense pride from my work as a broadcaster and pundit for Sky Sports and columnist for

Telegraph Sport and understand how disappointed many will feel upon reading about recent events. I know many readers are upset or even angry with me and I have work to do to regain trust. You expect better from me. I expect better of myself. I want to reassure readers – as I have viewers of Sky – there will be no repeat of such behaviour and, of course, I will speak to relevant people in order to ensure that is the case. That process is already in motion via my employers at Sky.

I began writing for Telegraph Sport in October 2017 and it is a privilege to be in a position to offer my insights and opinions on the game I love so much. Recent days have underlined to me just how much I enjoy all my roles. I also understand more than ever that the responsibility of representing these respected organisations extends beyond my conduct on air or comments in print.

You will be aware my employers at Sky announced on Tuesday I would not be participating in their programming until the start of next season.

I have also agreed with The Telegraph that I will not be contributing my weekly column for the rest of the season. I, and The Telegraph, have decided it would not be appropriate for me to continue in my role at this particular moment.

I would not feel comfortable producing my weekly column covering the major footballing stories in the newspaper during the climax of this campaign while, as a result of my own actions, I am unable to do so on television. I do not think that to be right or fair.

Unfortunately, this means I will not be contributing my Telegraph Sport column for the rest of this Premier League season. I will miss expressing my thoughts for the next few months.

I hope Telegraph readers will understand why we feel this to be the wisest course of action, agreeing it is the most suitable response to what has undoubtedly been the most difficult week of my professional career, both as a former player and a pundit.

I will not be contributing my Telegraph Sport column for the rest of this season