Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has jumped to the defence of comedian Reginald D. Hunter, who performed a controversial set at the PFA awards bash last night.

The American used the n-word regularly during the act, as well as made jokes about Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who was given an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra last year.

When asked if organisers were wrong to book Hunter, the Daily Mail quotes Taylor's response as: "No, no, don't be silly. Are you serious? I think there were a few raised eyebrows over the comedian, but that is the sort of thing you can't control. It was unfortunate.

"He is a professional comedian. It's a difficult subject in football and with him not being fully aware of how emotive it has been in football, that was probably a difficulty for him."

The controversy comes after Paul Elliot was forced to step down from his role at the Football Association for racially abusing Richard Rufus.