SEXISTS SLAM TELLY’S VICKI
Beeb commentator is blasted by trolls
Storm over World Cup debut
®ÊFrom JERRY LAWTON in RUSSIA
VICKI Sparks was brutally trolled after becoming the first female World Cup TV commentator.
The broadcaster was the voice of BBC One’s coverage of the Portugal v Morocco clash on Wednesday.
Women In Football, which promotes female representation in the sport, hailed her as a “history maker”. But Vicki’s performance was blasted on Twitter.
Ex Chelsea, Brighton and Huddersfield Town striker Leon Knight, 35, messaged: “Who’s this chick on BBC commentary? What the hell is this? #World Cup. What is actually going on?
Retire
“Who’s the girl on commentary what’s her @ Nah I’m fuming !!!!!!! This u on commentary for the Portugal v Morocco game @vksparks? If so retire after today pls. We don’t wanna hear your voice no more thanks.”
Another wrote: “Whoever at @bbc thought that @vksparks would make a good commentator should be sacked immediately!”
Another tweet read: “This has to be some of the worst commentary ever. Just because she’s a woman doesn’t qualify her to be a commentator at the World Cup!”
Former England skipper John Terry had kicked off the sexism row after posting an Instagram snap of the match with the words: “Having to watch this game with no volume.” Although he later claimed the sound on his telly was broken.
But some fans were horrified by the verbal attacks.
Lee Fergusson tweeted: “I see the dinosaurs are out in force because of @vksparks commentating on this match... give her a chance.”
David Josephs added: “Jeez, some neanderthal comments regarding the fact the Beeb has a female commentator for the Portugal game. She’s great.”
Both BBC and ITV have increased the number of women in their World Cup coverage. Vicki has previously worked on BBC Radio 5 Live, Final Score and Match Of The Day.