Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones has issued the following statement in response to a media article published on Monday morning:
While I have nothing but the highest regard for Ken Bates and his considerable contribution to football over many decades, I feel compelled to issue a response to his comments published in the local media today.
I must make it clear that had I heard Sheffield Wednesday supporters chanting anything of an offensive or abusive nature on Friday evening, I would have rightly and roundly condemned them.
There is no place in football or society for vile chants of any nature and I endorse that view completely.
But the abuse aimed at me on Friday was personal. It was also wrong, it was offensive and not the first time I have endured such abuse from Leeds United supporters. Why make it personal? Why were the chants aimed at me?
I cannot emphasise strongly enough that I condemn any abuse of any kind from any supporter and I would stress that the vast majority of fans at every club in the country are decent and law-abiding.
I have no desire to become embroiled in a tit-for-tat war of words on this subject and would now like to draw a line beneath it and concentrate on the job I am paid to do, which is managing Sheffield Wednesday.