During Saturday night’s Euro match between Netherlands and Sweden, Lord Alan Sugar took to Twitter to point out the lack of male commentators on the broadcast—but here’s the catch—his statement was just blatantly wrong.
I am watching the women football and notice that ALL the comentators are women. I also note when mens football is on there is a symobilic female comentator to cover the broadcasters arse. Should I complain there should me a male commentator in women's football
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) July 9, 2022
About 15 minutes after Lord Sugar's tweet went live, Jonathan Pearce joined the broadcast prompting even more comments about the idiocracy of his statement.
Instead of attempting to rectify the situation, Lord Sugar tweeted again just three days later claiming that he was the reason former English footballer Ian Wright was commentating on the England V Norway game.
I was pleased to see my old mate Ian Wright was given the opportunity to commentate on the ladies game last night. I wonder if my earlier tweet below touched a nerve. Of course BBC sport will say not at all, Ian was already lined up for it @IanWright0 https://t.co/WgYGjWXWK4
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) July 12, 2022
The Arsenal legend took to Twitter in a video where he called the business magnate out on his ludicrous statements.
"In your mind, you actually thought that after you posted that tweet the BBC phoned me up, '' said Wright. “Never mind the fact that we had been booked to do this for a year, you genuinely think that they've called up and said—Ian, you've got to get back ASAP because Alan Sugar has tweeted and we can't upset him. You genuinely believe that happened?”
https://t.co/gD7uivbko8 pic.twitter.com/rdzCudtYrv
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) July 12, 2022
Other responses to the tweet included one from BBC host Gabby Logan.
"We have plenty of men working on this tournament Lord Sugar, don’t fret you’re not being eradicated," said Logan.
We have plenty of men working on this tournament Lord Sugar, don’t fret you’re not being eradicated.
— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) July 9, 2022
Over the years, it has been very common to see broadcasts made up of entirely men, and as we work towards diversifying sports, it should be anticipated that some broadcasts might be composed of entirely female teams.
That’s not to say men should not be commentating on women’s sports—because they should be. Interest in the women’s game should not just come from women in the same way that interest in the men’s game does not just come from men.
