Thread: David Moyes: FA to ask Sunderland boss to explain himself over 'slap' remark.

Sunderland boss David Moyes will be asked by the Football Association to explain himself after telling a BBC reporter she might "get a slap".

After his side's draw with Burnley on 18 March, Moyes was asked by Vicki Sparks if the presence of owner Ellis Short had put extra pressure on him.

He said "no" but, after the interview, added Sparks "might get a slap even though you're a woman" and told her to be "careful" next time she visited.

Moyes "deeply regrets" the comments.

"It was in the heat of the moment," added the 53-year-old Scot.


Moyes should 'think about his position' - agent Anderson
Both Moyes and Sparks were laughing during the exchange and the former Everton and Manchester United manager later apologised to the reporter, who did not make a complaint.

The FA will now write to Moyes to ask for his observations on the incident.

Speaking in a news conference on Monday, he said: "I deeply regret the comments I made.

"That's certainly not the person I am. I've accepted the mistake. I spoke to the BBC reporter, who accepted my apology."

The BBC confirmed that Moyes and Sparks had spoken about the exchange and the issue had been resolved.

A spokesman said: "Mr Moyes has apologised to our reporter and she has accepted his apology."

However, shadow sports minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan called on the FA to act.

"If you look at the fact that he wouldn't have said that to a male reporter, and I truly believe that, I think the comments and his behaviour and attitude was sexist," she told BBC Radio 5 live.

"With the FA, part of what they have been criticised for in the past is not tackling sexism and other forms of discrimination, which needs to be stamped out across the sport.

"Fundamentally it's a male-dominated environment that women find it incredibly difficult to break into and comments like this do nothing to encourage women."

Former England striker and BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker also condemned Moyes' behaviour.

"Moyes incident highlights a tendency for some managers to treat interviewers with utter disdain. Pressured job. Well rewarded. Inexcusable," he said.

A statement from Women in Football said it was "deeply disappointed and concerned" but "pleased that David Moyes has apologised".

It added: "No-one should be made to feel threatened in the workplace for simply doing their job.

"We hope that the football authorities will work with us to educate football managers and those working within the game to prevent this kind of behaviour."

Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League on 20 points, eight points from safety, going into a game at Leicester City.

Analysis

Richard Conway, BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent

The FA must now decide what action, if any, it will take following David Moyes' comments.

His swift apology to Vicki Sparks may help him mitigate any punishment if he is subsequently charged by the governing body.

However Moyes' admission of wrongdoing and "deep regret" shows that he himself believes he's done something wrong.

Under such circumstances could The FA publicly justify simply warning him as to his future conduct? Would there be criticism of the message that sends from an organisation which prides itself on the values and high standards it tries to uphold in football?

It must now await Moyes' letter - and then decide how best to proceed.

David Moyes: FA to ask Sunderland boss to explain himself over 'slap' remark - BBC Sport

If Vicki Sparks did not complain then neither should anyone else as the remark was directed at her.
All the other PC correctness wannabees should butt out. But sadly we live in an age where everything is being dumbed down the the lowest common denominator, stupidity.

^ A chap like him should know better to be a little more circumspect in front of a mic, being "right" isn't going to help him, when journalists smell blood, they won't let go.

He'll be out of a job soon anyway. And he'll probably get a fine from the FA for this.

Possibly Moyes and Sparks were initiating verbal foreplay prior to their dinner together...possibly

"However, shadow sports minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan called on the FA to act.
"

so we're agreed then...it's a non topic.

and yet...

Originally Posted by 12Call

"However, shadow sports minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan called on the FA to act.
"

And you'll go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about a story that is only a story because of the 24/7 nature of 'news' these days.

It works so much better than Kim Kardashian's arse.

Even BBC radio 4 dumbed down to this non story today, enabling a great opportunity for fame seeking hacks to comment live on this subject.
Apparently it happened two weeks ago but thanks to trolls on the Internet the story's viewership grew.
I just keep thinking, is this the most important thing going on here, why not bring back the good old days when women where not sports reporters. Men only.

Next up blue...

The interview was conducted last weekend.

David Moyes and Sunderland granted more time to respond to FA regarding comments


David Moyes and Sunderland have asked for and been granted more time to provide their observations to the FA after comments the Black Cats manager made to a female reporter.

The FA had asked to be updated by the club on their version of events before the close of business today. [06/04/17]

However, Sky Sports News HQ understands Sunderland have asked for more time and now have until Monday afternoon to respond.

David Moyes and Sunderland granted more time to respond to FA regarding comments | Football News | Sky Sports

Wait, I think I've found something: