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Vicki Sparks hailed for 'making history' as first female World Cup commentator
The BBC’s Vicki Sparks has made history by becoming the first ever woman to commentate live on a World Cup game.
Ms Sparks took to the mic for Portugal’s clash with Morocco on Wednesday, with Martin Keown alongside her as co-commentator.
She faced immediate action as Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fourth goal of the tournament within five minutes. “Wouldn't you just know it,” she exclaimed.
Football fans took to social media to congratulate Sparks for “making history” and praised the BBC for taking a “great step in the right direction”.
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“Well played Vicki Sparks. A little bit of history made,” wrote World Cup presenter Dan Walker.
This is the first worldcup match with a female commentator on bbc and it’s just making my day #PORMAR
— Simmy (@Simbum26) June 20, 2018
Good to see (hear) a woman commentator on the men's football. A refreshing change 👍#PORMAR
— Random Banter (@random_banter) June 20, 2018
However, a string of male Twitter users were also quick to complain about the BBC’s choice of commentator for the match.
They pointed out that Sparks had made a mistake by accidentally referring to Portugal as “Porto” on more than one occasion.
#PORMAR why can't women commentators stick to commentating on women's football this ones just awful
— PhilB64 (@afcbally) June 20, 2018
That female commentator doing the BBC's coverage is absolutely awful #PORMAR
— James (@jamess_c9) June 20, 2018
“That female commentator doing the BBC's coverage is absolutely awful,” wrote one, while various other men shared advice on how to switch to the radio commentary via the red button.
The sexist and misogynistic reaction to a female commentator on BBC has been depressingly predictable! #PORMAR#WorldCup
— Brendan 🇦🇺 (@brendan_fc) June 20, 2018
Nice to hear a female commentator on BBC. You're doing great @vksparks 👏 #PORMAR#WorldCup
— Lily W (@MissLSW) June 20, 2018
But other World Cup fans defended Sparks, claiming the reaction to the first female commentator was “depressingly predictable”.
Sparks joins football legends including Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Frank Lampard on the BBC’s World Cup team.
She has previous broadcasting experience with Final Score and Radio 5 Live but the Portugal Morocco game, which ended in a 1-0 win for Ronaldo’s side, was her first live commentary of the tournament.
Both BBC and ITV have women on their punditry teams, including former England internationals Alex Scott and Eniola Aluko respectively.
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Jacqui Oatley, the first woman to commentate on Match of the Day in 2007, is presenting at the World Cup for ITV.
Last year, then Sunderland manager David Moyes was fined £30,000 by the FA over comments he made to Sparks at the end of an interview.
“It was getting a wee bit naughty at the end there so just watch yourself,” he told her. “You still might get a slap even though you're a woman. Careful the next time you come in.”
