Eric Bristow apologises on Good Morning Britain after causing Twitter storm when he labelled footie sex victims ‘wimps’
DARTS legend Eric Bristow has apologised on Good Morning Britain after causing a Twitter storm when he labelled footie sex victims "wimps".
The five-time world champion, who was made an MBE in 1989, tweeted that victims of the emerging football sex abuse scandal were not “proper men” like “tough guy” darts stars.
Following his comments, he was dropped by Sky Sports as a pundit after saying that if he was touched when he was kid he would have “sorted the p**f out".
When asked if he wanted to say sorry for labelling victims for sexual abuse as "wimps", Bristow, 59, replied: "I apologise for it. They're not wimps, they've been sexually abused. It was a miswording - the whole idea was to get youngsters now to go out and complain."
During the fiery interview, furious GMB host Piers scolded Bristow for calling co-host Susanna Reid “darlin'”.
A mother of three sexually abused victim also labelled the sportsman a "deeply offensive man".
Eric tweeted on Monday: “Might be a looney but if some football coach was touching me when I was a kid as i got older i would have went back and sorted that p**f out.
“U got to sort him out when u get older or don’t look in the mirror glad i am a dart player proper men.”
Bristow soon found himself under attack from Twitter users who claimed he “must be drunk” and would regret his posts “when he sobered up”.
Others accused the sporting hero of being “homophobic”, “out of touch”, “embarrassing” and a “disgrace”.
One even called for him to be stripped of his MBE.
Newcastle swiftly axed him from their Darts Legends night at St James’ Park next week. He was due to showcase his skills at the Tyneside event on December 6.
Several former footballers have waived their right to anonymity to raise awareness of alleged historical abuse in football, a step which has won praise from politicians, sport administrators and abuse charities. Former Crewe Alexandra coach Barry Bennell is facing sex abuse charges.
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An NSPCC hotline has now received over 100 calls related to such abuse.
A “significant” number of other alleged victims of abuse are likely to come forward and other sporting governing bodies may report similar problems, Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for child protection, has warned.
The FA’s review will assess information the FA had at the time of the abuse, which football clubs were aware and whether sufficient action was taken.
The footballing body say a “wide-ranging inquiry may be required in time” but added it is supporting police with their investigations and “must ensure we do not do anything to interfere with or jeopardise the criminal process”.
Crewe Alexandra has also launched its own probe into the allegations.
Bennell is in hospital following a suspected suicide attempt.
It emerged on Monday that police officers and paramedics were called to a “fear for welfare” incident at a hotel found him unconscious.
At least eight police forces are now investigating allegations of historical sexual abuse.
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