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Original poster

To think the BBC commentary team were far too mild in their condemnation of English player stepping on opponent

78 replies

Clafoutie · 07/08/2023 21:32

I know from other threads that most people on MN have zero in football so hoping those people will simply not read!
To anyone who is interested, I thought that the very feeble way in which the BBC commentators responded to England player Lauren James deliberately standing on Nigerian player Michelle Alozie was incredibly disappointing and biased. The incident was totally unacceptable and Lauren James was rightly shown a red card, but the commentary team seemed to really hold back on condemning it, and later speculated about how Lauren James must have been ‘tired’ ‘frustrated’ and maybe ‘stayed on the pitch too long’, and other excuses. I get that it is only football, and hardly a big deal, but I thought it was really wrong and quite uncomfortable to watch.

OP posts:
Drywhitefruitycidergin · 07/08/2023 22:41

I think they probably played it down to stop her getting vilified the way Beckham did or Saka/Sancho/Rashford in the Euros when they missed penalties.

No public statement so far from LJ or Serena Wiegman - maybe trying to keep it low profile in the hope of a 1 match ban (totally deserves 3) - praise or ignore/play down in public/bollocking in private is always the best way in football

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 07/08/2023 22:42

I saw someone on twitter saying it would have been interesting if it was on ITV & Emma Hayes was commentating & i agree

murielstacey · 07/08/2023 22:44

I was listening to the radio, Five Live, and the commentators there were completely outraged at the stamp. I had to turn on the tv to see what they were talking about.

JudgeJ · 07/08/2023 22:46

AvidMerrian · 07/08/2023 22:23

But people want partisan commentary.

All countries' commentaries are partisan if you've ever watched or listened to any sporting event beyond these shores. Only in the UK are the commentators not supposed to be partisan. Cheer up, when they go out then you'll be very happy.

Original poster
Clafoutie · 07/08/2023 22:47

Ladybrrrd · 07/08/2023 22:36

It's not as though she's facing no consequences. She may be about to miss out on the rest of the world cup. I reckon she'll be punishing herself enough, as I'm sure the papers, social media and well, websites like this are! Would an extra 'what a stupid thing to do! ' from the commentators really make a difference?!

I get what you’re saying. I think, to me, it just felt like there was an embarrassed rush to explain it which almost minimised it. But I certainly have no interest in adding to the punishment she will, as you say, be giving herself. That is equally hard to watch.

OP posts:
Hmmph · 07/08/2023 22:49

Russooooo · 07/08/2023 22:29

I’m pretty sure the commentator (Alex Scott?) noticed it immediately and said ‘that looks like more than a yellow’ or something similar? Then - after the VAR - ‘well deserved red card’ and ‘there’s just no excuses’ or similar?

I agree that I found the commentary odd though. They were speaking as if England were playing terribly, and I don’t think they were. They played well, against a strong team, kept more of the possession, had more attempts on goal, etc.

Yes. I said this too. England played well, Nigeria also played well. I found it a bit offensive actually and based on them being an African team. Same game against Germany (for example) it would be described as a tough game against good opponents. They seemed to forget they were the African champions and many (all?) of their players play in top professional leagues.

JollyJolene · 07/08/2023 22:49

I think they were factual and reported it in such a way as to not encourage a pile on.
She’s 21 and until this point was being heralded by all and sundry. She’ll have learnt her lesson alright.
She’s had to switch off comments on her social media accounts. That speaks volumes.

ilovesooty · 07/08/2023 22:50

Ladybrrrd · 07/08/2023 22:36

It's not as though she's facing no consequences. She may be about to miss out on the rest of the world cup. I reckon she'll be punishing herself enough, as I'm sure the papers, social media and well, websites like this are! Would an extra 'what a stupid thing to do! ' from the commentators really make a difference?!

I agree. There's a standard one match ban for a sending off and I expect she'll be banned for three matches.

Hmmph · 07/08/2023 22:52

It wasn't a "stamp", she 'just' clambered over her as if she was a tree trunk or something rather than a human. It didn't look like frustration or malice to me. It was weird and her face was neutral as she did it. Really odd behaviour.

Pufflebow · 07/08/2023 22:52

She got a red card, she was punished, as were the team
footballers get death threats and racial abuse after things like that, and that can really effect their mental health

if the commentators laid into her they would be seen to be encouraging a ‘pile on’ they need to be aware of how the public can respond to these things.

WGACA · 07/08/2023 22:53

Anothermam · 07/08/2023 22:04

It is such a shame that James did that, I don't know what she thought would happen with cameras everywhere.

Overall I felt the commentators were too negative about England. They seemed sure they would lose and as soon as they won they were accused of daylight robbery, after playing for so long and getting 4 penalties in. So I actually thought they were harsh but maybe not harsh enough towards James specifically.

I agree!

BarelyLiterate · 07/08/2023 22:55

Boomboom22 · 07/08/2023 22:39

Great, I had thought perhaps with the rise of women's football we might lose some of the violence associated but seems it is something about the game itself. Bet dv rises through this as it does in the men's too. Football players generally come across as awful role models and are paid to behave like this.

Ignorant nonsense.

The current England men’s & women’s teams are both full of outstanding young people who represent themselves, their families, their clubs and their country superbly. Harry Kane, Leah Williamson, Bukayo Saka, Beth Mead & Jude Bellingham are fantastic role models who we should be proud to support. I certainly am.

sooverthisshit · 07/08/2023 22:56

@Hmmph agreed! Just looked up a pic and it’s just such an odd thing to do. She doesn’t look angry. Which maybe makes it look worse!

Original poster
Clafoutie · 07/08/2023 22:57

Pufflebow · 07/08/2023 22:52

She got a red card, she was punished, as were the team
footballers get death threats and racial abuse after things like that, and that can really effect their mental health

if the commentators laid into her they would be seen to be encouraging a ‘pile on’ they need to be aware of how the public can respond to these things.

Yes, I take your point. I think perhaps I have been a bit naive. I don’t ‘do’ social media or internet discussion boards ( apart from MN!) as I generally hate all the vitriol there seems to be on them. Having reflected on what you and pp have said, I can see there may have been good reason behind the commentary response.

OP posts:
AuntMarch · 07/08/2023 22:59

"they need to be aware of how the public can respond to these things."

That is, sadly, a very very good point.

DarkDarkNight · 07/08/2023 23:04

I agree, it was disgusting and they went really easy on her.

But, look at the headlines Beckham received. Maybe we should move on from shaming people to that extent for a mistake in the heat of the moment.

wonderstuff · 07/08/2023 23:11

I immediately thought of Beckham and I think they were trying to find an understanding of why she’d behave like that and also were keen not to vilify her, they didn’t argue that it was a clear red card. She’s been punished, I’m sure she’s feeling awful. It was a frustrating match, they played so well in the match before, expectations were so high and they never found their flow.

Cheseandpickle · 07/08/2023 23:24

Hmmph · 07/08/2023 22:52

It wasn't a "stamp", she 'just' clambered over her as if she was a tree trunk or something rather than a human. It didn't look like frustration or malice to me. It was weird and her face was neutral as she did it. Really odd behaviour.

I thought that. All day I've heard it referred to on the news as a 'stamp', but it was so bizarre the way she just stepped onto the other player. It was shocking.

I was also annoyed about the 'daylight robbery' comment from the commentator at the end!

DeeCee77 · 07/08/2023 23:43

Allmyfavouritepeople · 07/08/2023 22:11

I agree anotherman, felt like I was watching a different game to the commentators. Nigeria were physical and pacey and a different challenge for England but they couldn't find the back of the net. They were never going to win if they couldn't score in 30 mins against 10 women.

Nigeria were athletic (much more so than England) but very very limited on the ball. England could have gone down to 9 players and I'd still have backed them not to concede. To be fair Nigeria are a pretty new team to the women's game so I'm sure they will get better.

Original poster
Clafoutie · 07/08/2023 23:59

Cheseandpickle · 07/08/2023 23:24

I thought that. All day I've heard it referred to on the news as a 'stamp', but it was so bizarre the way she just stepped onto the other player. It was shocking.

I was also annoyed about the 'daylight robbery' comment from the commentator at the end!

Show quote history

I agree, it was the oddness of it that made it particularly shocking. She seemed quite emotionless doing it.

OP posts:
DeeCee77 · 08/08/2023 00:00

Hmmph · 07/08/2023 22:52

It wasn't a "stamp", she 'just' clambered over her as if she was a tree trunk or something rather than a human. It didn't look like frustration or malice to me. It was weird and her face was neutral as she did it. Really odd behaviour.

She deliberately stepped on her backside as she was laid out on the ground. It was petulant. The natural move was to step over her...instead she lifted her leg and almost immediately put it down. It was bloody silly as it was so obvious. If you are going to do that (not that I'd advise it) then at least pretend it was a trip or loss of balance...after putting your foot down fall over slightly and have your hand up... "oh oh sorry". Putting your foot down, then lifting it back up and walking away naturally is asking for punishment.

There wasn't much downward pressure (so I agree, not a stamp as such), but 100% a red card. It was one of those "this player has annoyed me all game" backlashes. She is likely now out of the tournament which is a huge loss.

UsingChangeofName · 08/08/2023 00:55

I agree with you OP, and I also get cross with the number of people (on here, but also on other media) who are saying things like "It was stupid of her to do it with all the cameras and VAR etc".

No

She shouldn't have done it, because it was a horrible thing to do. That is the same on the World Stage or in a Sunday league match where there is one ref trying to have eyes and ears all over the pitch. She shouldn't have done it, because it was wrong, not because the risk of her getting caught was high in this game.

I don't condone it, but can sort of understand in the heat of a moment, people reacting sometime, but this was calm and calculated. It should have been roundly condemned.

DownNative · 08/08/2023 07:56

DeeCee77 · 08/08/2023 00:00

She deliberately stepped on her backside as she was laid out on the ground. It was petulant. The natural move was to step over her...instead she lifted her leg and almost immediately put it down. It was bloody silly as it was so obvious. If you are going to do that (not that I'd advise it) then at least pretend it was a trip or loss of balance...after putting your foot down fall over slightly and have your hand up... "oh oh sorry". Putting your foot down, then lifting it back up and walking away naturally is asking for punishment.

There wasn't much downward pressure (so I agree, not a stamp as such), but 100% a red card. It was one of those "this player has annoyed me all game" backlashes. She is likely now out of the tournament which is a huge loss.

Show quote history

Lauren James first deliberately hit Michelle Alozie between the legs with her left foot as she got up. That was clearly unnatural as her foot clearly swung forwards.

Then she semi-stamped on her arse.

It was two intentional movements together rather than one and as you said 100% red card.

More similar to Wayne Rooney on Ricardo Carvalho than David Beckham on Diego Simone though.

Beckham and Rooney went on to win club titles after theirs, especially Beckham who helped Man United win a historic treble in 1999.

Winning titles has a way of settling the issue and players being forgiven by the fans generally.

Lauren James may well need to do the same thing.

cocoloco117 · 08/08/2023 08:31

The commentators are often ex-pros aren’t they so I imagine they’re speaking from experience about the frustration. Also it happens loads in football, and other sports (eg tennis players throwing rackets etc). Human nature. It was wrong, she was punished, no need to put her in the stocks.

Ponoka7 · 08/08/2023 08:37

VeniVidiWeeWee · 07/08/2023 22:34

@Ponoka7

"just bare in mind that the male footballers are protected while visiting brothels, committing DV, rape".

And your proof of this is?

Do you live in a cave? Wayne Rooney's career was ruined by his use of prostitutes, oh no wait. Then there was Joey Barton, no that's not a good example either. Then there's been the footballers who have been guilty of rape, DV, sexual misconduct, assault (outside the game) and it's only been after a public outcry that action by their club has been taken.