ENGLAND’S PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS’ Association has begun legal proceedings to recoup the fee paid to comedian Reginald D Hunter.
The PFA are seeking a refund of the five-figure sum the American received for his set at Sunday’s player of the year awards dinner after the content was described as “unacceptable” by chairman Clarke Carlisle.
Hunter used the word “n*****” on several occasions and referenced the racism row involving Luis Suarez, despite the PFA claiming he had guaranteed to avoid such controversial subjects beforehand.
Deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes confirmed the PFA’s intentions on Tuesday, telling The Daily Telegraph: “We are in discussions with our lawyer and our lawyer is in discussion with the London Speaker Bureau, who we booked him through.
“Whatever he was paid was too much. We are obviously very upset, because he was briefed. We are very aware that very have a very diverse audience there. I was sat there with Jewish friends on my table as well, and it was as if he set out to upset everyone in the room one way or another.
“There were anti-Jewish jokes, there were anti-women jokes, there were anti-Irish jokes, there was the repeat use of the ‘N’ word.”If you were looking for a scenario of absolutely everything we wouldn’t want on the night, I think you had a montage there.”
The London Speaker Bureau, the agency through whom Hunter was booked, have since backed the PFA’s stance, insisting Hunter had agreed to monitor his language.
A statement read:
“The London Speaker Bureau supports the PFA’s statement in that Reginald’s use of language was not what was discussed as acceptable on the briefing call with the PFA.
“We regret any offence caused by the performance at The PFA Awards Ceremony.”Since the event, Hunter has posted pictures on his personal Facebook page seemingly mocking the PFA’s position.
A caption for one picture of the comedian performing read: “Reginald D Hunter probably telling the PFA audience his joke with Jews in it.”
Another image of Hunter with smiling Bolton striker Kevin Davies is titled: “Reginald D Hunter and this particularly hurt individual console each other.”
