BOBBY Gould yesterday apologised to Welsh striker Nathan Blake in the latest racism row to rock football. And he urged the Bolton player not to turn his back on his country as the row threatened his own position as Wales manager.

Blake was upset by Gould's description of Dutch striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk during a post match dressing room discussion in the wake of Wales 3-1 home defeat against Holland in October. He also alleges Gould made him wear a black bib during training.

Gould insists he is not a racist but after intervention by the Professional Footballers Association he has apologised to Blake, both in front of the full Welsh squad and in private.