BBC WOMAN WHO MADE HISTORY
She’s first to commentate on live TV match – but opinion is divided
SPORTS reporter Vicki Sparks made British television history yesterday as she became the first woman to commentate live on a World Cup game.
She was the lead voice of BBC1’s live coverage of Portugal v Morocco from Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
But while the experienced broadcaster was praised for her performance by many, not everyone appeared impressed by her tone on the microphone. First in the line of detractors appeared to be former Chelsea and England captain John Terry.
He uploaded a picture on Instagram showing his television with the match on and told his followers: ‘Having to watch this game with no volume.’
The former defender later claimed this was referring to the fact his TV was broken. Miss Sparks was in commentary box 269 with former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown as an expert summariser.
The late David Coleman’s famous catchphrase after an opening goal was always: ‘One nil.’
But Miss Sparks had her own style as the prolific Cristiano Ronaldo headed Portugal into a fourth-minute lead, saying: ‘Wouldn’t you just know it.’
After it proved to be the only goal of the game, thousands expressed their opinions on Miss Sparks and her World Cup debut. BBC Football Focus and Breakfast TV presenter Dan Walker was supportive, tweeting: ‘Well played Vicki Sparks. A little bit of history made.’
Another social media user said: ‘Was very refreshing to hear a female commentator in football!
‘Excellent job by Vicki Sparks! Brilliant insight and had genuine enthusiasm for what she was doing! Get her on more.’
But others were more critical. Many pointed out she had repeatedly and accidentally referred to Portugal’s national team as ‘Porto’, a club in the country’s top flight.
A Twitter user wrote: ‘Shouldn’t have taken this long for there to be a female world cup commentator but listening to Vicki Sparks drone on I wish it’d taken longer.’
Miss Sparks has worked for the BBC in the North East of England, on the corporation’s Saturday Final Score show and on Radio 5 Live. Earlier in the tournament, she provided highlights commentary for Iran’s win over Morocco. While Miss Sparks is the only female commentator at the World Cup for British TV , the BBC and ITV have a string of women pundits at Russia 2018. Jacqui Oatley, who became the first woman to commentate on Match of the Day in 2007, is working for ITV.
The commercial broadcaster also has England and Juventus striker Eni Aluko while the BBC is using Gabby Logan as a reporter with retired Arsenal Ladies defender Alex Scott in the studio. Last year Miss Sparks was on the receiving end of a controversial comment from David Moyes, then Sunderland manager. After an interview, he told her: ‘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. Careful the next time you come in.’ Moyes apologised but was fined £30,000 by the FA.