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BBC Sport website apologises after mixing up England players in race story

Genge

The editor of the BBC Sport website has apologised to Ellis Genge after the England rugby player was confused with team-mate Lewis Ludlam in a story about race.

Genge, who has 15 England caps, was interviewed on 5live about anti-racism protestors pulling down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in his home city of Bristol.

However, when the quotes were written up on the BBC Sport website, a photo of Ludlam and not Genge was used at the top of the story.

The prop, who plays his club rugby for Leicester Tigers, tweeted (below): “I’m actually fucked off with this happening to every mixed race/ black sportsperson. Must be the 15th time in less than a year just between me and Lewis Ludlam.”

Northampton flanker Ludlam responded: “I’m with Gengey on this one. Wrong mixed raced guy BBC Sport. Probably should be getting that right on an article about race issues. Not the first time this has happened.”


Former England rugby captain Will Carling was one of those to express his disbelief, tweeting: “So embarrassing. You could not insult them more.”

BBC Sport website editor Ian Singleton, who has been in post since January 2017, replied directly to Genge, tweeting: “As the editor of @bbcsport online, I wanted to message you directly and swiftly to say sorry.

“A wrongly captioned image from a picture agency did not get the checks that we expect. We have fallen below our usual standards and again offer an apology to you.”

Genge has not replied.

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