Moyes to remain manager despite ‘slap’ remark
David Moyes will remain manager of Premier League club Sunderland despite telling a female reporter that she might get a “slap.”
Sunderland commented publicly on the matter for the first time Tuesday, saying Moyes’ remarks were “wholly unacceptable and such actions are not condoned or excused in any way.” The club, which is in last place in England’s top division, said it “continues to fully support David in his role as manager.”
Moyes, the former Man United and Everton coach, was being interviewed by BBC reporter Vicki Sparks after the EPL match against Burnley on March 18 when he said: “You were just getting a wee bit naughty at the end there, so just watch yourself. You still might get a slap even though you’re a woman. Careful the next time you come in.”
Moyes and Sparks were laughing during the exchange, which has been published by British newspaper The Daily Star, and the reporter did not make a complaint. The 53-year-old Moyes said that his comments were “in the heat of the moment” and that Sparks had accepted his apology.
GOMEZ SLAMS VOELLER AFTER SPAT
Mario Gomez slammed as ‘unsportsmanlike’ comments made by ex-international Rudi Voeller in their spat over the pen Gomez completing a Bundesliga hat-trick last weekend.
Gomez, 31, scored three late goals in seven minutes on Sunday as Wolfsburg came from 2-0 down to seal a dramatic 3-3 draw at Voeller’s Bayer Leverkusen.
Gomez netted his third goal when he converted a penalty — awarded on 86 minutes by referee Deniz Aytekin. The decision incensed Voeller.
“The penalty against us was ridiculous,” fumed Voeller, Leverkusen’s director of sport.
“If Leverkusen really want to start talking about the referee, then Rudi Voeller -- I’m sorry -has a bit of a distorted view,” said Gomez.
“If you play the sort of game like Leverkusen do, you don’t stand there and have a go at the ref -- that’s unsportsmanlike.”
QATAR IN TALKS TO HOST CLUB WORLD CUP
Doha Qatar is in discussion with FIFA to host several major international tournaments ahead of 2022 including the Club World Cup currently held by Real Madrid, sources told AFP. The Gulf state could also be the venue for the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups.
Sources say all three tournament options are currently being considered by the Qatari authorities and football’s governing body, and all three could be staged in the Gulf. Qatar is urgently looking for test events to try out the multi-billion dollar infrastructure it is putting in for