IAN WRIGHT has blasted Alan Sugar over his BBC Women’s Euros punditry complaints.
The 75-year-old provoked outrage last week by suggesting he should complain about there being no male commentators on a game.
Alan Sugar has been slammed for his tweetsCredit: Getty – ContributorIan Wright celebrates alongside Gabby Logan and Alex ScottCredit: Getty
Sugar wrote on Saturday: “I am watching the women football and notice that ALL the commentators are women.
“I also note when men’s football is on there is a symbolic female commentator to cover the broadcaster’s arse. Should I complain there should be a male commentator in women’s football.”
After Wright and Jonas Eidevall appeared on the panel for England’s 8-0 trouncing of Norway last night, Sugar reopened the row.
He quoted his previous tweet, writing: “I was pleased to see my old mate Ian Wright was given the opportunity to commentate on the ladies game last night.
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“I wonder if my earlier tweet below touched a nerve. Of course BBC sport will say not at all, Ian was already lined up for it.”
Wrighty, 58, took to Twitter to post a video response to Sugar’s controversial tweets.
The Arsenal legend said: “It’s doing my head in, I can’t believe it.
“Alan, the thing is my friend, rather than just say ‘I got it wrong, lots of men are working at all levels of the tournament’, you doubled down on some complete f***ing foolishness.
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“So in your mind you actually thought after you sent that tweet that the BBC phoned me up, never mind the fact that we’ve been ready to do this for a year, I’ve been booked for a year.
“You genuinely think that they called me up and said ‘Ian, you’ve got to get back from Germany ASAP, Alan Sugar’s tweeted, we can’t upset him, we need to get you on’.
“You genuinely believe that that happened? Because I need to know. Because that says ‘my god, your ego is totally out of control’.
“Where’s the people around you to hug you bro? You need some hugs man. Coming on Twitter for attention like this, it’s laughable! Stop doing it to yourself.”
He then joked: “But I’ve got to say thank you. Thank you man for that tweet. Because if it wasn’t for you I’d have missed one of the greatest ever England games there’s even been played.”
I sit in these rooms with ex-players belittling the women’s game all the time. I’m so glad it annoys you and all of them
Ian Wright
Wright went on to add: “In all seriousness, I’m glad you’re watching. And the only thing you can find fault with doesn’t even exist.
“I sit in these rooms with ex-players belittling the women’s game all the time. I’m so glad it annoys you and all of them.
“Can I just say, I hope you enjoy the rest of the tournament – please tweet again so I can work Friday, please. God bless.”
Former BBC Breakfast and Football Focus host Dan Walker also responded to Sugar’s tweet, writing: “Option 1: The BBC saw you tweet and decided to use Wrighty 😳.
“Option 2: He has already worked on the tournament and was booked in yonks ago✅.
“In response to your earlier tweet about commentators… may I humbly refer you to the work of Jonathan Pearce [who has been commentating on the tournament].
“Enjoy the sunshine.”
Sugar was also called out DURING the coverage of England’s win.
We just had a lovely studio shot of one our studio guests, Jonas Eidevall, one of our symbolic men
Robyn Cowen
After England went 6-0 up, BBC commentator Robyn Cowen said: “We just had a lovely studio shot of one our studio guests, Jonas Eidevall, one of our symbolic men. Good evening, Lord Sugar!”
Sugar has been slated by other social media users.
One wrote: “I can’t decide whether this is an almighty wind up or actually serious. Either way, I don’t recall being as disappointed in a series of tweets for a long time.”
While another scathingly added: “I love how he thinks he has some kind of sway. Stupid, irrelevant old man.”
A third opined: “Bet he doesn’t know who the other male pundit was.”
Wright and Eidevall were among those able to gush about England’s display at the Amex last night.
Georgia Stanway made it 1-0 from the penalty spot on 12 minutes, before Laurent Hemp doubled the Lionesses’ lead just a few minutes later.
Ellen White bagged her first of the tournament just shy of the half hour mark, with Beth Mead adding another two goals in the 34th and 38th minutes.
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White then scored her second before half-time, with the Three Lions going in at the break six goals to the good.
Manchester United ace Alessia Russo made it seven after coming off the bench, before Mead completed her hat-trick late on.
Beth Mead bagged a hat-trick on an incredible night for England against NorwayCredit: PADan Walker hit back at Alan SugarCredit: AlamyArsenal Women’s boss Jonas Eidevall was also among the punditry teamCredit: Getty
