Indian football club Odisha have sacked their English football coach Stuart Baxter following comments made in relation to penalties and rape.
The comments came following the Indian Super League match between Odisha and Jamshedpur, where Baxter's side went down 1-0.
Baxter told India's Star Sports television after the match:
“You need decisions to go your way and they didn’t.
“I don’t know when we’re going to get a penalty. I think one of my players would have to rape someone or get raped himself if he was going to get a penalty.”
Stuart Baxter
Baxter's club confirmed that he had been dismissed, issuing their own statement on the issue.
"It is completely unacceptable whatever the context and does not reflect the values of the club," the statement continued.
"We, at Odisha FC, unreservedly apologise and the club management will handle this matter internally."
The club's owner, Rohan Sharma, tweeted his own take on events.
"I am absolutely disgusted and infuriated by the comments," Sharma said.
"I've said Odisha FC is a safe space for all, and to make light of a serious awful crime in such an offhanded way is reprehensible.
"I sincerely apologize to everyone on my behalf and the club's."
I am absolutely disgusted and infuriated by the comments. I've said Odisha FC is a safe space for all, and to make light of a serious awful crime in such an offhanded way is reprehensible.
I sincerely apologize to everyone on my behalf and the clubs https://t.co/nhq0kJPrGM— Rohan (@RohanSharma915) February 1, 2021
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