Barton Holocaust comment "totally inappropriate" says West of England Mayor
Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has compared poor performances from some of his players to Nazi atrocities during the Second World War
The Mayor of the West of England has criticised Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton for comparing a poor performance by his players to the Holocaust.
Barton made the reference after his side was beaten by Newport County on Saturday (23 October).
It has been widely condemned since, with some calling it "appalling" and "really offensive".
You can see his comment below, but be aware you may find the content of the video offensive.
We asked metro mayor Dan Norris for his opinion.
"What I'd say, very strongly, is that any reference to the most appalling issue in history, which was the annihilation of millions of Jews and travellers and gay people by the Nazis, any reference to the Holocaust in reference to sport seems totally inappropriate to me," he said.
"I'm sure that that manager of the Rovers was fed up with his team, but you do have to have respect for history and the awful events that happened during the Second World War and in some ways since, because of those awful actions by the Nazis and so it does seem to me to be out of kilter.
"Sport is important, I'm a strong Bristol City fan but I want all our teams to do well, but making reference to some horrific event in history like the Holocaust, doesn't seem appropriate."
Speaking to the BBC, Bristol City Council Fabian Breckels, who's also an associate member of the Jewish Labour Movement, said Barton should consider his position, while the Bristol Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Group has called it "saddening" that neither the club nor the manager has issued any kind of apology.
Bristol Rovers next play away to Harrogate Town in League Two on Saturday 30 October.