Former Sunderland executive director Charlie Methven has apologised for remarks in which he reportedly suggested people from the North East didn't understand business.
The Times reported that Methven had responded to a questioning of a £10m investment from the FFP Group in a meeting with the Fan Engagement Committee by suggesting it would be more accepted in the south as people there better understood business.
While he is not quoted in the report, the suggestion was it was because there were less entrepreneurs in the region.
Methven, who left Sunderland in December, has apologised for the comments, while the club has distanced themselves from those views.
"This meeting was at the end of my three-month notice period at Sunderland," Methven explained.
"It was a private meeting at which all matters of the club were discussed.
"I was repeatedly pressed on the negative implications of a £10m investment I'd secured for the club.
"Exasperated, I reacted intemperately and one of those present subsequently took me to task.
"I apologised to him because the comparison I made does not accurately reflect my real views. It was an off-the-cuff riposte which I regret."
Sunderland have made it clear that those comments do not reflect the views of anyone at the club.
'It goes without saying that any such views are not representative of our chairman and Sunderland AFC as a whole," read a statement.
"It is clear from comments the chairman has made publicly that he is hugely appreciative of and truly grateful for the tremendous support given to the club by the Sunderland fans, especially in recent challenging times."
