PREM BOSS MOYES IN MATCH OF DAY BULLY STORM
Rant caught on camera
SUNDERLAND boss David Moyes sparked a bullying storm last night.
His comments after yet another Premier League defeat were caught by Match Of The Day cameras when he thought that filming had stopped.
Last night Moyes apologised.
PREM boss David Moyes has been accused of bullying after telling a female Match Of The Day reporter she deserved “a slap”.
The Sunderland manager also told stunned Vicki Sparks to “be careful” before returning to the Stadium of Light.
Ex-Manchester United and Everton boss Moyes issued the threats after Sparks interviewed him for the BBC following his side’s 0-0 draw against Burnley last month.
The TV cameras had stopped filming, but Moyes was caught ranting at Sparks by another worker who was recording on their phone.
In the footage he says: “It was 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.”
He added: “Careful the next time you come in.”
Moyes seemed to be upset by Vicki’s final question when she asked whether he was under more pressure because club chairman Ellis Short was watching in the stands.
During the interview he batted off the comment and said: “None at all.”
But his mood turned more sinister as soon as the official grilling was over.
One of Vicki Sparks’s colleagues, who asked not to be named, said last night: “This is disgraceful bullying and sexism ending with a chilling warning.”
A BBC spokesman said later: “Mr Moyes has apologised to our reporter and she has accepted his apology.”
A Sunderland spokesman said: “David and the reporter spoke to one another subsequently and the matter was resolved amicably.”
Moyes’ rant was revealed as Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho came under fire for his post-match interview with the BBC’s Conor McNamara.
The Portuguese, whose team had been held to a 0-0 draw by West Bromwich Albion, blasted McNamara’s questions as “stupid”.
Match of the Day pundit Chris Sutton later said Mourinho should focus on “sorting his own team out” rather than rowing with reporters.