02 June,2009 02:04 PM IST | | PTI
No stranger to controversies, Andrew Flintoff has made some stunning anti-immigration statements which may land the England all-rounder in fresh trouble with cricket authorities and his potential sponsors.
In an interview to 'GQ' magazine, Flintoff blamed rap music for rising violence and said countries should be careful while promoting multi-cultural societies.
"I have no problems with a multicultural society, I think that is to the benefit of the country. But you have to be careful what levels you take it to," Flintoff said.
"It annoys me when I phone a hotel receptionist in my own country and they don't understand what I am saying because they don't speak English," he added.
The 31-year-old father of three also blamed rap music for the rising violence in the society.
"I see Manchester on a Friday night and I would be horrified seeing my daughter going to the bars," Flintoff said.
"There are places I wouldn't go to now. You see these reports of stabbings, bottlings, shootings, and you think: 'What is happening to this country?'
"I think rap music has a lot to do with it. It makes it sound cool not to conform, and to be violent. That's why I think that sport plays such an important role," he added.
