The Twitter reaction to Neil Francis’ apology on The Last Word

Francis this evening apologised profusely and unreservedly for controversial comments he made on gays in sport on Newstalk yesterday, but as far as some were concerned, he didn’t go far enough.

Francis appeared on The Last Word alongside host Matt Cooper and rugby referee Nigel Owens this evening as he attempted to explain the reasoning behind comments about gay people and sport he made on Newstalk’s Off the Ball yesterday. You can see a brief synopsis of the conversation that took place between all parties here, but given the amount of reaction that Francis’ original comments have generated since yesterday, it wasn’t a surprise that there was quite the reaction to his appearance on the show this evening, some of it positive towards Francis and some of it negative. Here’s a flavour of how it was received on Twitter.

Great interview by @Nigelrefowens on the @todayfmofficial Matt Cooper show on Neil Francis' comments. A dose of common sense as always — Adrian R McKenna (@AmckennaMc) February 17, 2014

While Neil Francis' comments were obviously ridiculously offensive and downright stupid, at least he has apologised? — Khaleesi of Kildare (@ronronzo) February 17, 2014

 

Not sure that Neil Francis fully explained himself there. Glad he apologised but seemed little like a naughty schoolboy being forced to. — Stuart Gilhooly (@PFAISolicitor) February 17, 2014

full & unreserved apology from Neil Francis on @lstwrd tonight. Good work @cooper_m — mary hannon (@mary_hannon) February 17, 2014

 

People are so quick to linch.To me Neil Francis sounds like an old fashioned man willing to change.His old views slipped out yesterday — Si (@CityFella_) February 17, 2014

Ah Christ, Neil Francis. The victim now? I have listened to it repeatedly and it is one of the most shocking segments of radio in long time. — Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) February 17, 2014

 

This Matt Cooper interview stinks of two buddies helping each other out. Way too soft. — Terry Reilly (@TerReilly) February 17, 2014

Hard to know whether Neil Francis or Matt Cooper will get more criticism after that interview on the Last Word — Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) February 17, 2014

 

Just listened to Neil Francis apology reminded me of : http://t.co/QlAHgRIpBr — @Aoifs2707 (@Aoifs2707) February 17, 2014

Pretty much Neil Francis on The Last Word on with Matt Cooper this eve #digupstupid http://t.co/nM2DwqJA9D — Aidan Wynne (@Awynner25) February 17, 2014

 

Neil Francis. Hole. Spade. Stop. — Guy Le Jeune (@GuyLeJeune) February 17, 2014