PARIS - Bordeaux coach Willy Sagnol has apologized for making disparaging comments about African players in football, although he still maintains they were misinterpreted against a backlash of widespread criticism.Sagnol, capped 58 times by France and a member of the team which lost the 2006 World Cup final, gave a question and answer session Tuesday to readers of Sud Ouest regional newspaper when the subject of African players was raised.The advantage of what I would call the typical African player is that he isnt expensive when you sign him, (he is) a player who is ready for combat, but football isnt just about that, Sagnol said.Explaining himself, he continued: Football is also (about) technique, intelligence. You need a bit of everything. You need Nordics too, Nordics are good.Speaking Thursday at a pre-match news conference ahead of Saturdays game with Lens, Sagnol tried to explain his comments.If by my lack of clarity, or my imperfect semantics, I may have shocked, humiliated or hurt people then I am sorry, Sagnol said. The interpretation that these people may have made does not reflect my way of thinking in any way or my humanist convictions.However, he said the comments made sense in a sporting context.When I spoke about the African (player) who is cheaper and ready for combat, I simply meant to talk about the young African player arriving in Europe with all of his will to win and often to escape from a precarious situation, Sagnol continued as he read from pre-prepared notes. Then, since we were in a debate about football, the intelligence I spoke of was obviously related to tactical intelligence. The forming of young players in Africa, probably because of a lack of financial means, or (lack) of infrastructure, isnt always as complete as whats available in Europe.Sagnol distanced himself from accusations that his viewpoint was offensive.In no way did I mean to talk about an individuals intelligence in the proper sense of the term. Regarding certain accusations of racism, Im 37 (and) Ive spent 32 of them in a football dressing room. Ive never had a problem with anyone, the former Bayern Munich player said.But Lens coach Antoine Kombouare, who was born in New Caledonia, is among those who felt offended by Sagnol.Lets make things clear: this is not a case of him being clumsy. Hes really messed up, Kombouare said. What he said is serious. Its unacceptable. Explaining that an African player is cheaper ... I felt humiliated and hurt.The International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA) strongly condemned Sagnol, as did former Marseille president Pape Diouf, who called for African players to boycott one round of French league games in protest.French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet, who formerly employed Sagnol as coach of Frances Under-21 side, defended him, while former teammate Lilian Thuram — an active anti-racism campaigner — was more measured.I played alongside Willy, hes somebody I respect. I know him very well, Thuram told Sud Ouest. I dont think you should put Willy Sagnol on trial, but you should put prejudice on trial. Each one of us harbours some prejudice, which is why people working in football, who have a certain exposure to the media, should be educated on this subject.Sagnols captain at Bordeaux is Senegal international Lamine Sane, who called Sagnols comments clumsy before defending him, as did club president Jean-Louis Triaud.He doesnt have any twisted ideas. He believes in all the black players in the team, Sane told French radio. We believe in him and we hope to go very far with him.Bordeaux forward Henri Saivet, who is black, told RMC radio that Sagnol apologized.We all now pertinently well that the coach is not a racist, Saivet said. Its true that, at first, we asked ourselves a few questions. But he explained how it happened. He apologized to the players. That was very important. Fake Nike Air Max Replica . -- ETwaun Moore had 14 points in 30 minutes, and the Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 87-86 on Sunday night. Nike Air Max Sale . 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Cheap Nike Air Max Outlet .com) - A top-10 showdown is on tap in at the McKale Center on Saturday, as the 10th-ranked Arizona Wildcats play host to the eighth-ranked Utah Utes in a key Pac-12 matchup.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Ed Reed is unsure what his football future holds. The veteran safety would like to keep playing, and for Rex Ryan and the New York Jets. Retirement cant be ruled out, either, but he expects to be in someones secondary next season. "Theres 32 teams, man," Reed said Monday as the players cleared out their lockers. "I know Im going to be ready to play football next year." Reeds first order of business will be to get an MRI on his surgically repaired hip for "total maintenance" and then mull his options. The 35-year-old safety had three interceptions in seven games with the Jets, who signed him after he was cut by the Houston Texans. But Reed, who had off-season hip surgery, appeared to lose a step from being the perennial Pro Bowl playmaker he was in 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. "I think I was pretty good for having two hip surgeries," Reed said, "and being able to play in this defence after being on another team, first year through free agency. "I have no regrets." Reed and Ryan are close from their days together in Baltimore, but its uncertain if the Jets would be open to bringing him back next season unless its at a veterans minimum salary. Both Ryan and defensive co-ordinator raved about Reeds influence on the teams young defensive backs. Reed wouldnt rule out coming back, saying his familiarity with the defence would be a major consideration. "If the team will allow me," Reed said. "And if everything goes according to my off-season, yeaah.dddddddddddd" Reed, who has 65 career interceptions, had surgery on his hip in April and acknowledged that a full off-season and being healthy would help him going into next season. But he also bristled at a reporters question as to whether people in New York had seen the "real" Reed. "The real Ed Reed?" he asked. "Im in my 12th year. I know how to play this game. Ive played this game a certain way for a long time. The real Ed Reed was here. My expectations for myself are higher than you all could ever be. "The standard has been set high, but like Ive said, I set that standard." While hed still like to play, the safety said he came close to retiring three or four years ago. "So, theres always that possibility," Reed said. "Thats something Ive always evaluated after every season since my first year. Its a violent sport. The sport is changing a lot and organizations are changing. Its just a different game." ---- NOTES: K Nick Folk, set to become a free agent, would like to return on a multiyear deal after going 33 of 36 on field-goal attempts. "I think Ive done my part," he said. ... WR Stephen Hill said no off-season surgery is planned on his ailing left knee that landed him on injured reserve for the last three games of the season. ... DT Sheldon Richardson, the No. 13 overall pick, predicted a few accolades will be heading his way. "I am the defensive rookie of the year," Richardson said. "I dont have odds. Thats just how I feel." ' ' '