Optus Sport has hit again at claims its protection of the Women’s World Cup isn’t gender balanced, after some viewers had a difficulty with two male commentators presenting in a section on the one time.
Walid Sukkarieh, the Director of Sport, Production and Content for the subscription service, immediately shut down one fan’s claims that these watching the World Cup by way of Optus Sport had been “subjected to an all man view”.
The section in query included former Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and fellow ex-Socceroo and present Gold Coast Knights coach Scott McDonald overlaying Saturday’s match between England and Haiti.
The pair are a part of Optus Sport’s broadcast group line-up which incorporates 17 presenters – nearly all of that are ladies.
But regardless of feminine presenters dominating the group, Schwarzer and McDonald presenting as two males collectively on the sidelines of the match wasn’t illustration for girls’s sports activities in line with some viewers.
“Surely we’re at the point now where we don’t have to be subjected to an all man view at a Women’s World Cup?” ladies in sport advocate Danielle Warby requested on Twitter.
Mr Sukkarieh was fast to defend the streaming service’s World Cup broadcast group, saying whereas he appreciated the suggestions he was “proud” of the selection of presenters.
“The sideline crew are supporting our studio team that includes Kelly, Tanya and Chloe, as well as (Juventus) women’s (coach) Joe (Montemurro),” he tweeted in response.
“Mark has covered women’s football for (Optus Sport) since France (World Cup) 19, Scotty our WSL previews. We’re proud of the diversity of our team.”
In rebuttal, Ms Warby stated she was “well aware of who is in the studio”, with Mr Sukkarieh’s response not altering her views.
“Doesn’t change the all male view. And why a low capped Socceroo with little comms experience? He could easily have been an ex Matilda of equal standing,” she stated.
“There’s no excuse to have only men on the screen. But they still managed it.”
In one other tweet Ms Warby added: “There’s supporting and there’s supporting. I’d like to see at least one tweet in five about women’s football to count someone as a supporter.”
“Honestly, we need to raise the bar for what counts as a man supporting us.”
It appeared Ms Warby had an unpopular opinion amongst viewers, with most siding with Mr Sukkarieh’s perspective, together with former Matilda, Olympian and Optus Sport presenter Heather Garriock.
“I don’t tweet about the Premier League or men’s football yet I’ve been a pundit with Optus Sport for years,” she stated.
“I would have thought (in) this day and age rather than talk about women and mens football, isn’t it ‘football’. I enjoyed Schwarzer and Mcdonald’s analysis.”
McDonald additionally responded to the tweet, sharing an Instagram submit from Matilda Aivi Luik, who thanked McDonald and his group for permitting Luik and fellow Matilda Emily Gielnik to coach together with his group through the off season.
“I’ll leave this here for you shall I,” McDonald’s tweet stated.
Another Australian who describes herself as a “daughter, sister, wife (and) mother,” stated it didn’t matter what gender the commentators are, as long as they know the game.
“I, as a female, don’t care if it‘s two men or two women talking, they’re talking football – a gender neutral sport,” she tweeted.
“The people discussing it are football pros, they know and breathe the game. Please, don’t politicise this. Let‘s celebrate women’s football.”
Meanwhile a Brisbane man added: “There are 64 games in the WWC. I’ll agree with your point if the majority of games have the above.”
“If it’s only a couple then I think you’re being fairly … unreasonable. Especially considering how many women are hosting the different games and shows as well as commentating.”
Among Optus Sport’s broadcast group is match hosts Amy Duggan, Kelly Somers and Niav Owens in addition to Chelsea assistant coach Tanya Oxtoby.
Former Matilda Ashleigh Sykes, former Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Catherine Cannuli, United States ladies‘s national soccer team World Cup winner Jessica McDonald and Chile professional footballer Cote Rojas are also on the team.
These powerful women join Garriock, Amy Chapman, Rebecca Smith and Amy Harrison.
Meanwhile, former Premier League goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, Montemurro and presenter Claudio Fabiano join Schwarzer and McDonald as the only men on the 17 person team.
Channel 7’s World Cup broadcast group can also be gender balanced and is led by 7Sport anchors Mel McLaughlin and Bruce McAvaney.
Commentator Adam Peacock, 7Sport presenter Emma Freedman, two-time Olympian Elise Kellond-Knight and Garriock additionally be part of veteran soccer commentator David Basheer and rising broadcast expertise Grace Gill in reporting on the event.
Former Socceroo and broadcaster Craig Foster tweeted he’s thrilled to see feminine presenters dominate the protection of the World Cup on each Optus Sport and Channel 7.
“A huge rap for the amazing women and former players broadcasting the #FIFAWWC. So enjoying seeing women talking football, all-female advertisements, thrilling football,” he tweeted.
“Elise, Izzy and Mel, Amy, Heather, Niav, Chloe and many more. Well done to you all. A joy to watch.”
Originally printed as ‘We’re proud’: Optus Sport retaliates in opposition to backlash its WWC broadcast group isn’t gender-balanced
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
