Vicki Sparks
British sports journalist and football commentator
Vicki Sparks is a British sports journalist and football commentator for BBC Sport and BT Sport . She has reported for Final Score and BBC Radio 5 Live . [1] She also regularly covers women's football for the BBC. [2]
In March 2017, after a post-match interview, Sunderland manager David Moyes took issue at one of Sparks' questions to him and said “You were just getting a wee bit naughty at the end there, so just watch yourself. You still might get a slap even though you’re a woman. Careful the next time you come in.” In June, The Football Association fined him £30,000 for "improper and threatening remarks". [3]
Sparks was part of the BBC's team covering the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. On 20 June of that year, she became the first woman to commentate on a live World Cup match on British television, BBC One 's coverage of Portugal 's 1–0 victory over Morocco in Group B in Saransk . [1] Sparks and female pundits Eniola Aluko and Alex Scott were subjected to online criticism, and former player Jason Cundy said her voice was too high-pitched for commentary, while other figures such as Jacqui Oatley and Piers Morgan praised them and said that the criticism was due to sexism. [4] [5] [6] Sparks has also guested on the BBC show Fighting Talk . [7]
In July 2023, she was announced to be commentating for the BBC at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup . [8]
References
- 1 2 Seddon, Sean (20 June 2018). "Newcastle commentator Vicki Sparks makes history at World Cup 2018" . Chronicle Live . Retrieved 20 June 2018 .
- ↑ Rodger, James (20 June 2018). "Who is Vicki Sparks? BBC One commentator makes history during Portugal vs Morocco World Cup 2018 match" . Birmingham Mail . Retrieved 20 June 2018 .
- ↑ "David Moyes fined £30,000 by FA for 'slap' comment towards journalist" . The Guardian . Press Association. 9 June 2017 . Retrieved 20 June 2018 .
- ↑ Ridge, Sophy. "Sky Views: Stop moaning about female football pundits" . Sky Sports . Retrieved 25 June 2018 .
- ↑ Singh, Anita (25 June 2018). "Jason Cundy: women's voices are too high for football commentary" . The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 25 June 2018 .
- ↑ Smit, Sarah (25 June 2018). "Women take on football's 'sexist pigs' in the battle for World Cup screen time" . Mail & Guardian . Retrieved 25 June 2018 .
- ↑ "BBC Radio 5 live - Fighting Talk - Episode guide" .
- ↑ "Women's World Cup: Gabby Logan, Reshmin Chowdhury and Alex Scott to lead BBC TV coverage" . BBC Sport . Retrieved 10 July 2023 .