FA supports Hodgson over 'joke'

The Football Association has given its "full support" to Roy Hodgson after claims a comment made in a team-talk by the England manager caused offence. Hodgson was criticised for referring to a joke about a monkey and an astronaut at half-time in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Poland. "He has and deserves the full support of the Football Association," FA chairman Greg Dyke said. Anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out praised the FA's "swift" response. had called for an investigation into Hodgson's comments but, after the FA confirmed it had not received any complaints from the England players, it now considered the matter closed.