Leighton Andrews is a Cardiff City season ticket holder

During a debate about business support on Tuesday, Leighton Andrews, who represents Rhondda, joked that linking "Swansea and soccer" was a contradiction in terms.

Mr Andrews is a season ticket holder at Cardiff City, Swansea's fierce south Wales rivals.

Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black accused him of bringing the taunts of the terraces into the assembly chamber.

Mr Andrews has now apologised for his "silly joke", which he said was aimed at his Labour colleage, Swansea West AM Andrew Davies, who had started the debate.

"I should have known better and it has clearly got a bit magnified because I said it in the assembly chamber," he said.

It is a game and we need to calm down some of the rivalries that go on between Swansea and Cardiff fans Peter Black AM

He acknowledged Swansea had produced many "remarkable" players over the years, and said he was delighted that Swansea had avoided relegation this season.

"I think the Swansea City fans played a major part in rallying behind the team and helping them get out of the difficult situation they were in," he said.

"We have had a very good season in Welsh soccer with Wrexham also being promoted and we have obviously got an international team doing so well."

South Wales West AM Mr Black had accused Mr Andrews of "stoking the fires of soccer rivalry".

Swansea narrowly avoided relegation this season

"Leighton Andrews does football no service at all by taking a gratuitous sideswipe at Swansea City," he said.

He said he was pleased Mr Andrews had apologised.

"Taking the taunts of the terraces into the chamber was inappropriate and I am glad Leighton has seen this.

"At the end of the day, it is a game and we need to calm down some of the rivalries that go on between Swansea and Cardiff fans.

"The rivalry has sometimes gone beyond what is acceptable."