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England spot the difference puzzle branded racist for swapping heads of black players Daniel Sturridge and Danny Rose

Kids game, which saw Liverpool striker switched with Spurs ace, under-fire for implying that black people all look alike

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A SPOT the difference puzzle in an England footie programme has been branded racist for swapping the heads of black players.

The alteration to a team pic was one of five that kids were challenged to identify.

A puzzle in an England footie programme has been branded racist for swapping the heads of black players
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A puzzle in an England footie programme has been branded racist for swapping the heads of black players

The children's picture puzzle challenged youngsters to notice that Daniel Sturridge's head had been pasted on to Danny Rose's body.

It has prompted claims that the brainteaser, featured in the Junior Lions section of the official programme for England's recent clash with Spain, implies that black people all look alike.

Liverpool striker Sturridge, 27, and Spurs ace Rose, 26, are the only black players featured in the team photo.

The children's picture puzzle challenged youngsters to notice that Daniel Sturridge, pictured above, had his head pasted on to Danny Rose's body
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The children's picture puzzle challenged youngsters to notice that Daniel Sturridge had his head pasted on to Danny Rose's bodyCredit: PA:Press Association

Other differences include the captain's armband being airbrushed on to the arm of Spurs midfielder Dele Alli.

Peter Herbert, chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers, said: "It is unfortunate that such a competition can be thought appropriate at a time when the FA has made such little progress on key matters of diversity, such as introducing the Rooney Rule to English football.

";There are sadly more black and ethnic minority board members at City companies than there are on Premier League clubs.

"This casual discrimination goes hand in hand with this general refusal to address the scale of the problem by the FA."

A Rose by any other name ... Liverpool striker Sturridge and Spurs ace Rose, pictured above, are the only black players featured in the team photo
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A Rose by any other name ... Liverpool striker Sturridge and Spurs ace Danny Rose are the only black players featured in the team photoCredit: Getty Images
Soap Oprah ... Winfrey recently complained after a magazine confused her with actress Whoopi Goldberg
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Soap Oprah ... Winfrey recently complained after a magazine confused her with actress Whoopi GoldbergCredit: Getty Images

Football race charities Kick It Out and Show Racism the Red Card said the change was unfortunate but did not amount to racism.

Last night, the FA apologised for the puzzle. A spokesman said: "We have been made aware of an issue regarding the match day programme. We have raised and sought an explanation from the publishers and apologise for any offence caused."

The embarrassment comes after chat show queen Oprah Winfrey hit out at a magazine for mistaking her for Whoopi Goldberg.

Making Whoopi ... the Ghost actress found herself mistaken for the queen of US daytime TV
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Making Whoopi ... the Ghost actress found herself mistaken for the queen of US daytime TVCredit: Getty Images

Total Beauty posted a photo of the Sister Act star arriving on the red carpet and, referring to her tattoos, wrote: "We had no idea Oprah was tatted, and we love it." Oprah tweeted: "We don’t all look alike!"

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