Jamie Redknapp issues grovelling apology after Lord Sugar threatened legal action over ‘false allegation’

Jamie Redknapp has issued an apology to Lord Alan Sugar after the former Tottenham chairman threatened to take legal action.

Lord Sugar told Redknapp and Sky Sports that they would be ‘hearing from my lawyers’ after a comment on his time at Spurs.

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Redknapp claimed that Sugar left the north London side ‘in a mess’ when he left the club in 2001 after 10 years as chairman.

And that was something that particularly irked the business mogul, who expressed his anger on social media.

Sugar posted on X: “He talks a load of rubbish. He said when Daniel Levy took over Spurs Alan Sugar left the club in a right mess.

“He and SKY will be hearing from my lawyers Monday.”

He then wrote alongside that post: “I am coming for you @MrJamieRedknapp idiot.”

Almost a month after those threatening comments from Sugar, Redknapp has now issued a formal apology for his statement.

Speaking on Sky Sports on Friday night, Redknapp said: “I mentioned that Lord Sugar had left the club in a mess.

“I just want to make clear that he stabilised the club and invested heavily during his time as chairman.

“When he took over in 1991, Spurs were close to bankruptcy and by the time he stepped away the financial position had been turned around. He also put significant money into the team and facilities.

“I apologise to Lord Sugar and his family for any misunderstanding and for any distress caused, and am happy to set the record straight.”

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What were Redknapp’s comments?

Redknapp was apologising for saying that his former club Tottenham were left ‘in a mess’ when Sugar departed.

Sugar was Spurs chairman from 1991 to 2001 before stepping down, with current owners ENIC taking a majority stake.

And it was during a discussion about the ENIC Group and chairman Levy’s shock exit that Redknapp started the drama.

“Whoever takes over…you think back to how Alan Sugar left the club, it was a complete mess,” the ex-England international said.

“Daniel Levy has left this club in a really good way.

“Vinai [Venkatesham] will know that and the people in charge now can look at this club and really believe that this can go forward.”

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Lord Sugar’s response

After receiving the apology from Redknapp, Lord Sugar posted on social media to add further detail to the situation.

Alongside a video of the retraction of his statement, Sugar wrote: “On 13th September, Jamie Redknapp stated on Sky Sports that I left Tottenham ‘in a mess’ when I sold the club to Daniel Levy.

“Tonight, during Sky’s Bournemouth v Fulham coverage, Redknapp has made a full apology and has retracted this false allegation.

“Also, by way of a further apology, a donation of £10,000 has been made to Great Ormond Street Hospital.”