England manager Roy Hodgson has played down his comments regarding the accent of his captain Wayne Rooney.
The Three Lions boss last week said that Liverpool-born Rooney would have trouble addressing a room full of people because of his Scouse accent which prompted some criticism from sections of the press.
Hodgson has often been made fun of because of his way of speaking and insists there was no malice in the throwaway line which Rooney also found to be non-important.
"I have to be very careful when talking about accents and the way people speak," Hodgson said regarding the comments he made of the Manchester united forward.
"It took years for me to realise I had a speech defect, but it was made very clear to me when I took the job that I had one.
"I have been aware of it ever since so I am the last person to discuss accents.
"I am disappointed, of course, in the headline, I'd add, because what I was trying to say probably came out in the article. But, of course, it is headlines that create potential damage.
"Fortunately, I have got a guy alongside me who has been with me for a long time and he knows that in no way was it aimed at home or anyone from Liverpool.
"My wife is from Liverpool so I think that is last thing I would be doing.
"I have actually apologised to him for the headline, but he was so gracious that he didn't even want the apology. As far as we are concerned, it is a storm in a tea cup."
