( CNN ) -- Embroiled by successive racism scandals throughout much of the season , football was engulfed in a sexism storm on Wednesday after a leading ex-French international footballer advised women to look after their `` pots and pans '' rather than talk about the sport . During a radio phone-in following France 's 1-0 defeat to Spain in Tuesday 's 2014 World Cup qualifier , Bernard Lacombe , who scored over 100 goals for Lyon between 1969 and 1978 before returning to coach the team in 1996 , advise a woman caller Sonia that her place was in the kitchen rather than airing her opinions on football . `` I do n't talk about football with women , '' said Lacombe on the RMC radio station . `` It 's my character , that 's my way . They should look after their pots and pans , that would be better . '' Pedro 's Point of View : Juve Europe 's dark horses ? Sonia had called the station to criticize France striker Karim Benzema , a Real Madrid star who made his name at Lyon , for his performance against Spain . He last scored for France in June 2012 . But Lacombe was quickly forced to reconsider his view of women and their right to engage in a football debate as he issued an apology via Lyon 's website , explaining he had only meant to defend Benzema . `` I 'm sorry if my remarks yesterday on RMC have hurt women and in particular sportswomen and female footballers , '' read the statement on Lyon 's website . `` My only intention was to respond with a quip to the umpteenth criticism of Karim Benzema about his skills that struck me as particularly gratuitous and unacceptable . `` I would like to convey to Sonia and her partners the respect I hold for them and my admiration for their skills as footballers and for their outstanding performances . '' Benzema has failed to score in any of France 's five qualifying matches and has n't found the net for Les Bleus since a friendly win over Estonia eight months ago . `` I want to say that I would have reacted as vehemently if the criticism of Karim Benzema had come from a man , obviously with different words but certainly as colorful , '' continued Lacombe . `` I do not want to attack anyone , but simply to defend a player who does not deserve such treatment . '' Lacombe now serves as an unofficial `` special adviser '' Lyon to club president Jean-Michel Aulas and his jibe is acutely embarrassing for the French club given its women 's team have dominated European football in recent years . On Sunday , Lyon 's women 's team underlined their status as the finest in Europe with an 11-0 demolition of Soyaux in the Coupe de France . Patrice Lair 's team have won the European Champions League in each of the last two season in addition to collecting 10 French league titles . This is not the first time a senior football figure has uttered sexist remarks . FIFA president Sepp Blatter suggested female players should play in tighter shorts , similar to the ones worn by volleyball players .
Former France striker Bernard Lacombe apologizes following sexist outburst . Lacombe said he does n't talk about football with women during a French radio show . Lyon unofficial `` special adviser '' was responding to a caller named Sonia who was criticizing Karim Benzema . France 's Benzema has not scored for Les Bleus since June 2012 .