Manchester United footballer apologises over suicide bomber costume

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling hosted a fancy dress party wearing a suicide bomber costume. He had since apologized.

17:42 09 January 2014

A Premier League footballer, Chris Smalling, was photographed wearing a suicide bomber costume when he held a fancy dress party at his home.

The Manchester United defender is pictured in The Sun appearing to wear an army-style vest with the alcohol bottles, a mock circuit, and cables attached. Jacqui Putnam, who survived the Edgware Road blast in 2005 said that the footballer’s action was “thoughtless.” 

She said: "It does not make it any easier when you see people who make light of it.”

"It is silliness really. I do not think people who do these things mean any harm but unfortunately the affect it has on people like me and people who are in a worse position - those who lost loved ones - is hurtful.

"I am sure that he did not mean to offend anyone but I wish people would think twice."

Wasserman Media Group said in a statement: "Chris and his girlfriend hosted a fancy dress party to celebrate Christmas and their belated birthdays with close friends in the assumed privacy of his own home.

"He dressed in a costume consisting of empty bottles of Jagermeister and cans of Red Bull strapped to his chest in an attempted comedy play on the popular 'Jagerbomb' drink.

"Although he fully accepts in hindsight it was an ill-thought out and insensitive decision, absolutely no harm was intended whatsoever and he apologises for any offence caused."