SIR Allen Stanford has apologised for his part in an incident that upset England's players during Sunday's Super Series match with Middlesex.

Stanford, who is bankrolling the $20m showdown between England and his Superstars side on Saturday, was shown on the big screen at the ground sitting among the players' partners, with wicketkeeper Matt Prior's wife Emily on his lap.

During the footage, which was televised, the 58-year-old also put his arms around some of the women.

A number of England players, in the field at the time, found the episode inappropriate, triggering phone calls from Stanford to Prior as well as England captain Kevin Pietersen.

“He understood that the players were not particularly pleased with the incident and as a result of that he apologised,” said a Stanford spokesman.

“He called both Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior personally and they have accepted his apology.”

Stuart Broad, who was bowling at the time, said: “There were a few gobsmacked faces when it popped up on the big screen.”

An England spokesman added: “As far as we are concerned, the matter is now closed.”