BBC pundit’s moan over all-white Lionesses triggers viewer outcry

THE BBC was hit by hundreds of complaints after one of its football presenters said the “all white” line-up of England’s Euros 2022 women’s team pointed to a lack of diversity.

Eilidh Barbour’s remarks resulted in the BBC receiving the most unsolicited complaints of any programme so far this month. Discussing England’s 8-0 win against Norway, Ms Barbour said: “It was a historic, eight-goal victory for England last night. But all starting 11 players and the five substitutes that came on to the pitch were white. And that does point towards a lack of diversity in the women’s game in England.”

Her comments came during halftime of the Denmark v Finland match, ahead of a segment by the former England player Alex Scott that focused on the diversity of the national team.

More than 220 viewers complained about the comments, with the BBC’S report saying that the main issue raised was that it was “inappropriate or ‘racist’ to discuss diversity in sport”.

One female fan said on Twitter: “Skin colour should have nothing to do with it. The players who are the best on the team are the ones who are played but the woke Eilidh Barbour just couldn’t help herself and had to virtue signal ad nauseam!”

Ms Barbour later defended herself, tweeting that there needed to be a discussion over an apparent lack of diversity in the England women’s game. She said: “I’m glad this conversation is happening. Football is a game for all. It has never been about criticising this England team, it’s about looking to the future and the pathways so girls can all have the same opportunities to be a Lioness.”

The number of complaints exceeds the total of 150 viewers who had been offended by the corporation’s broadcasting of audible swearing by Australian Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios during a match on July 4.

The complaints over Ms Barbour’s comments were exceeded only by the 460 issued over Panorama’s SAS Death Squads Exposed, which the BBC had invited people to complain about online.

The BBC declined to comment.