Roy Hodgson has apologised to the Crystal Palace fans for calling them “spoilt” following the 2-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
The Selhurst Park crowd voiced their displeasure with boos at the final whistle, leading to an outburst from veteran boss Hodgson.
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His words have not gone down well, and the 76-year-old was quick to say sorry when he addressed the media today ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Liverpool.
He said: “I am distressed by my comments and choice of word which I bitterly regret.
“The fans have been very patient actually and behind us even during this bad spell. I can understand their frustration and disappointment because we all felt pretty bad about it.
“I owe them an apology, in particular they’ve been so good to me and the team during the almost five years I’ve been at the club now. I would be devastated if they seriously thought I didn’t appreciate the way they are and the way they try to get behind the team at all times.
“I felt so exasperated after the game. Basically, I felt like booing myself at one stage, so that’s the way things are.”
Palace have won just one of their last eight league games and former England boss Hodgson has asked the fans to get behind the team against Jurgen Klopp’s men in tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off.
“We’re certainly going to need the fans against Liverpool,” he added.
“One of our hopes is that we’ll give them a good game because we’ll have our fan base getting behind the team.
“Sometimes away from home it’s quite incredible. If you have that then it’s the bonus you need when you’re fragile and not on form.”