No drugs, no alcohol says Ard

Cape Town – South African musician Ard Matthews posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday that there were "no drugs" involved when he sang the anthem during the announcement of the Springbok squad.

Matthews, who bungled the words to the national anthem on live television, posted the following on his Facebook page: "I completely froze, it's that simple. First time ever. No drugs, no alcohol...just the biggest nightmare of my life..."

Matthews also expressed thanks for those who have forgiven him and said: "For those whom I offended, I don't expect u to just forget but I do ask you to also forgive me in time".

Sorry

Matthews apologised for his singing on Twitter on Tuesday. "Seriously, I am utterly devastated by tonight," Matthews tweeted. "This was a huge honour for me and I could not be more embarrassed and sorry."

Matthews was widely criticised on the social network after his performance in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Barry Tuck tweeted: "What was that song Ard Matthews just sang? I didn't recognise it."

Shaun Gray wrote: "Ard Matthews pulling a Ras Dumisani - Priceless," referring to the reggae singer's off-key mutilation of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica at a game in France.

Matthews founded the rock band Just Jinjer (formerly Just Jinger) and is based in California in the United States.

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