Sunderland boss Steve Bruce angrily rejects racism claims following Marcos Angeleri’s outburst

He told The Journal: “I don’t mind any of the quotes he has attributed to me. I don’t go into management to be liked.

“All you can try to be is as honest as you possibly can.

“I will be dealing with Angeleri, I will be keeping it in house. To go down the road of this race card saddens me.”

It is not the first time that Bruce has been accused of discrimination as earlier this season Gerard Houllier claimed he came in for unnecessary criticism for his part in Darren Bent’s transfer because he is a foreign manager.

He continued: “What’s the world coming to?

“It was obscene that was thrown at me. When you look at the players we have here, we probably have one of the most multicultural, international squads in the Premier League.

“I do question what the world is coming to when that is thrown at me.

“We have a disagreement with a player who has not performed yet. He has found it difficult in England, he has talent because he played for Argentina.

“But for an argument to be brought up that I had with Houllier. If you have a row with someone who is not English, then you are a racist. For me that is sad where we are and what we are doing.

“That was a horrific piece of journalism.”