Richards apologises for Fifa and Uefa rant

The chairman of the Premier League has apologised for accusing Fifa and Uefa of stealing football from the English. Dave Richards said in a statement to The Associated Press from Qatar that "I would like to apologise for any offense caused." Following criticism of what he said, Richards says his "comments on the heritage of the game were intended to be lighthearted," adding that "I sincerely regret making them and any resulting negativity that may have been interpreted towards Fifa and UEFA". Richards had earlier said that "England gave the world football. ... Then, 50 years later, some guy came along and said you're liars and they actually stole it. It was called Fifa." His comments were made during a conference on sports and security in Doha on Wednesday. With Fifa Vice-President Prince Ali Bin Hussain of Jordan and International Cricket Council Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat looking on, Richards repeatedly reminded his audience that the world had England to thank for football. "England gave the world football. It gave the best legacy anyone could give. We gave them the game," said Richards, who is also a Football Association board member. "For 50 years, we owned the game... We were the governance of the game. We wrote the rules, designed the pitches and everything else. "Then, 50 years later, some guy came along and said you're liars and they actually stole it. It was called Fifa. Fifty years later, another gang came along called Uefa and stole a bit more." Leaping to defence Hussain then reminded Richards that there was still a debate over whether the Chinese or the English invented the game, but Richards leapt to the defence of his country. "It started in Sheffield 150 years ago...," Richards said, his voice rising. "We started the game and wrote the rules and took it [to] the world. The Chinese may say they own it, but the British own it and we gave it to the rest of the world." Hussain tried to defuse the tension by saying the game now is owned by everyone, not just one country. "The point I'm trying to make is the whole world loves the sport and it is the most popular sport," Hussain said. "We have to continue to work on developing it and obviously competing and helping our youth." Richards attended the conference to share his Premier League experience with others at a round-table on new frontiers in sports. After the conference, Richards slipped and tumbled knee-deep into a museum fountain. He was rescued by Phil Gartside, the Bolton chairman and fellow FA board member.