Source: PA
Bruce hits back at racism claims
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has angrily denied claims that he is a racist after defender Marcos Angeleri accused him of overlooking him because he is not English.
The 27-year-old Argentinian was due back on Wearside on Thursday on his return from international duty, during which he made his comments. Angeleri told a South American radio station: "The boss doesn't talk to me, he doesn't even say hello to me when he sees me. I think he doesn't like me because I'm not English."
The same quotes were used in a report which recalled Aston Villa's French boss Gerard Houllier's remarks about Bruce's attitude towards him in the wake of Darren Bent's controversial £24million move to the midlands in January.
However, the former Manchester United defender hit back and pointed to the fact that he has 11 overseas players from nine different countries among his first-team squad of 25 as evidence to refute the charge.
Bruce, who said he is considering legal action, told the Sunderland Echo: "I'm deeply upset. In today's world, there is nothing more damaging than someone suggesting you are a racist. Of all things that have been thrown at me over the years, that is the charge that hurts the most.
"I have got no problem with criticism - I learned a long, long time ago that it's part and parcel of the job, and I never take it personally. I have always tried to look further afield for players, more so than the vast majority of managers - at Wigan I brought in a lot of South Americans; here I have brought in South Americans and Africans. It's ridiculous to accuse me of being racist."
