The broadcaster and columnist Tam Cowan has apologised for a column he wrote about women's football which caused widespread offence.

He reinforced the gesture with a donation to fund the sport.

Many people feel the outrage over comments he made in his orginal article - which described the female players as "blokes" and suggested Motherwell's stadium should be burned down after hosting a game - were overplayed. Women's footballers should learn to laugh at themselves, it was implied. Mr Cowan is a comedian who will have a joke about anything.

There is nothing wrong with comedy and free speech should be cherished. But how would such comments be taken if applied to burning down a stadium gay players had played in, or questioning the right of black players to compete? Is it an exaggeration to make such comparisons? If so, why?

Those who feel Mr Cowan's comments were only a bit of a giggle may be right. His apology should be enough to end his BBC suspension. But the episode raises questions about why, even in the 21st century, sexism appears to be taken less seriously than other isms.