Sexist comments aired on TV by former football player Costas Malekkos who said women should accept that men are in charge “have taken us 100 years back”, the single parents association said on Tuesday.

The association took particular offence over statements Malekkos made to AlphaNews presenter Christiana Aristotelous during her show Sunday Night, where he said if he found out she divorced her husband he would kill her.

Other quips included his suggestion that women have strayed from the proper path and “a man is allowed to do whatever he wants.

“You women have to accept that a man is in charge.”

Though Malekkos later apologised, his statements were reported to the police, justice ministry, ombudswoman and broadcast authority by women’s group Pogo.

“Divorced women are not prostitutes,” the association said. “They have not strayed, nor will he ‘kill us’. They will not idly sit in a marriage where they are beaten or create misery.”

It pointed out that the interview was pre-recorded and the channel ought to have cut him off, instead of advertising his views ahead of the broadcast.

In his apology, Malekkos said his statements were made on an entertainment show “and I felt the need to express myself with humour.

“My intention was not to insult or mock the role of women in the modern age.”

He said he has never been a sexist, and viewed women with particular respect as well as their place in society. “Men should show them their utmost respect.”

Malekkos said his statements were misinterpreted and apologised.

The single parents association stressed however that not only were his statements sexist “anachronistic and unethical”, they are also a criminal offence.

“Not only for him but the TV station and presenter.”

It should be clear to all that if sexism is a criminal offence, then statements of that nature should not be advertised, aired and open for laughs, it said.

“When you tolerate and broadcast such sexist language, you cannot evade responsibility.”

The association questioned how Malekkos would behave when training the female team he agreed to take on in Paphos.