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Sport
Harriet Brewis
Dec 11, 2022
Gutted England fans in Qatar react to World Cup knockout
content.jwplatform.com
Some people still seem to think that women only belong on TV to present the weather or hold up gameshow placards.
And so, inevitably, Twitter was awash with complaints on Saturday night about ITV’s pre-match coverage of England’s World Cup clash with France.
Rather than listen to what Jill Sott, Eni Aluko and Laura Woods had to say about the imminent quarter-final match, the tedious bellyachers spouted the usual protests that there were “too many women commentators”.
TalkSPORT founder Kelvin MacKenzie whined: “Why has ITV loaded its World Cup punditry with women? Fans want experts who have lived the game at the highest level. That can't be, and isn't, women. The occasional voice yes, the often dominant voice no.”
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It's worth noting that MacKenzie hasn't had any involvement with the Premier League-affiliated radio station since 2005, so we're not sure why he thinks he's so well-qualified to talk sport himself. And streams of people were quick to point out just how laughably flawed his point was.
Scott MBE, a former England midfielder, helped the national team to victory in this year’s UEFA Women's Euros, and over the course of her career won a number of trophies including three Womens League Cups and three Womens FA Cups. Oh and she also represented her country in a number of World Cups.
If that’s not “living the game at the highest level”, we’re not sure what is.
Meanwhile, Aluko made 102 appearances for England in her 12 years as a professional player, again competing at World Cups and the Euros, as well as the 2012 Olympics. We’ll refrain from repeating ourselves here, and let Twitter do the talking:
\u201cJill Scott has won more major tournaments than the men on that pitch. Choke on it.\u201d— Hannah E (@Hannah E) 1670699613
\u201c@kelvmackenzie Eni Aluko 102 caps\nKaren Carney 144 caps\nJill Scott 161 caps\nNadia Nadim 103 caps\n \nVS\n\nNigel De Jong 81 caps\nJoe Cole 56 caps\nGary Neville 85 caps\nGraeme Souness 54 caps\n\n\ud83e\udd14\ud83e\udd28\u201d— Kelvin MacKenzie (@Kelvin MacKenzie) 1670694522
\u201cThe presenter on ITV\u2019s England v France coverage bringing Jill Scott into the conversation by referring to her as the \u201cQueen of the Jungle\u201d. I would be, like, first and foremost, I\u2019m a European Championship-winning Lioness, England\u2019s second-most capped player, and an MBE.\u201d— Moog (@Moog) 1670696914
\u201cUnlike the men, Jill Scott literally won the Euros. Take your sexism somewhere else.\u201d— Andrew \ud83d\udc99\ud83d\udc9b (@Andrew \ud83d\udc99\ud83d\udc9b) 1670698086
\u201cSure Kelvin, let\u2019s replace Jill Scott for a male English player who\u2019s won the Euros and Bronze at a World Cup.\nOh, wait\u2026.\u201d— Secretary of State for Socially Uncaring Health (@Secretary of State for Socially Uncaring Health) 1670702170
But hey, maybe MacKenzie sources his views on women from around the time England's men last won a World Cup... 1966.
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