Former Ireland international Neil Francis was sacked from his role as a newspaper rugby pundit on Friday after making an apparently racist remark about British and Irish Lions fly-half Marcus Smith who he described as having an "Oompa Loompa tan". Francis' remarks, recorded on July 14, were removed shortly after broadcast but widely circulated on social media. Mediahuis Ireland, publisher of Independent.ie, announced they had decided to end his contract, with a spokesperson saying: "Neil Francis' remarks were unacceptable and he has apologised for them. "I would never intentionally or wilfully make a comment to disparage somebody on the basis of the colour of anyone's skin. Separate and earlier statements from both Harlequins and the Lions labelled Francis' comments as "offensive".

Source: News 24 July 23, 2021 19:30 UTC