Andy Murray has been cleared today of being anti-English, a misconception that has tainted his career based on a controversial comment made in 2006 about the England football team.

Des Kelly, from the Daily Mail, has admitted to provoking the Scot into saying the "anyone but England" comment but says Murray was just being sarcastic in response to his teasing over Scotland failing to qualify for the World Cup that year.

So, for the hard of thinking, let me state here that: I did the interview with Andy Murray and Tim Henman a couple of years back where Murray talked about 'supporting whoever England were playing against'.

It was a clearly a sarcastic remark. He was responding to teasing from your columnist about Scotland's absence from the 2006 World Cup and derisive laughter from the mischievous Henman.

It was reported in that context in this newspaper at the time and the exchange was run as a transcript.

A couple of days later a red-top got excited about the comments, lifted a couple of them into a 'story' that took on a life of its own and from there the truth was lost.
The shameful "red-top" who spread the lies about the Scot is thought to be Tony Parsons, and the story that "took on a life of its own" is probably much like this recent fabrication.

Yeah, I know.  That guy is a complete dick, it has to be said.

Btw, Clydey, did ye get yer birthday messages in the birthday thread?

Nice article Clydey - thanks for sharing (and making me miss Daily Mail more )

Thanks for sharing the article, Clydey.

Good to hear from someone neutral on the subject.

And happy (belated) birthday.

I think its all the pressure form Marks interview!

Cheers, mate.

Quite a lot of the ignorant English public do.