Jermain Defoe has suggested Jermaine Jenas has been treated differently because he is black in the wake of his sacking from the BBC, it has been claimed.
Jenas, 41, was sacked by the BBC in August following an investigation into his workplace conduct.
The former England midfielder, who presented The One Show and regularly appeared on Match of the Day, was axed following claims he acted inappropriately with several female colleagues.
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Jenas subsequently apologised for his behaviour, admitting he sent 'inappropriate' texts to colleagues at the BBC despite being married to his wife Ellie for 13 years.
He was later dropped by talkSPORT in the wake of the allegations.
Further claims have since been made about Jenas' behaviour, with another unnamed woman alleging that he sent her unsolicited sexual messages during their time working together at BT Sport.
A spokesperson for Jenas has not denied the authenticity of the messages but rejected that they were unsolicited.
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"Jermaine denies that these messages were unsolicited and it is disappointing that it has taken seven years for these accusations to come to light," read a statement.
"Jermaine has already apologised for his past actions and is currently taking time to focus on his family."
Defoe was asked by the Daily Mail about his former England and Tottenham teammate's sacking this week, and suggested the former midfielder has been treated differently to others because of the colour of his skin.
"He's my friend," Defoe said of Jenas.
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"What I don't like is if you're black and you do something wrong, any opportunities that you have will be gone. But, if you're someone else, you'll find ways to get back in."
Defoe refrained from naming those who 'are getting chance after chance'.
"We all make mistakes," he added.
"[But in] society nowadays, someone does something and they get cancelled."
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SPORTbible has contacted Defoe's representatives for comment. The BBC refused to comment when approached.
Speaking after the initial allegations against him emerged, Jenas apologised for his behaviour - adding that he was "ashamed" of his actions.
"I am deeply sorry," he told The Sun.
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"I have let myself down, my family, friends and colleagues down, and I owe everyone an apology – especially the women with whom I was messaging. I am so, so sorry.
"I am sorry for what I have put them through. I think it would be fair to say I have a problem.
"I know I self-sabotage and have a self-destructive streak when it comes to my relationship especially, and I know I need help. And I am getting help.
"I have made a lot of mistakes, and I am asking myself a lot of questions at the moment. I know there's a lot of work that needs to be done, and it will be hard."
Topics:Â Jermain Defoe, Racism, Football, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan