World Cup 2018: Ex-Chelsea and Spurs footballer Jason Cundy issues apology after branding female commentary a ‘tough listen’ because of their ‘high-pitched voices’
Cundy was discussing Vicki Sparks making history by becoming the first female to commentate on a live football match
FORMER Spurs star Jason Cundy has apologised after describing female football commentary "a tough listen" because it is "too high pitched".
The 48-year-old appeared on Good Morning Britain today discussing Vicki Sparks making history when she became the first woman to commentate on a live TV match.
She took the mic for Portugal versus Morocco last week.
But Cundy's comments left hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid shocked and angry, with the pair labelling his comments as "sexist" while the former told his guest he had "picked the wrong battle" before calling him a "sexist pig".
Cundy said: "It has nothing to do with her insight, knowledge or her ability to do the job I just don't like the tone.
"When there is a moment of drama as there often is in football, that moment needs to be done with a slightly lower voice, it's a personal preference.
"For 90 minutes I would rather, prefer, to listen to a male voice. I consume a lot of football, to listen to that voice. It’s like would you prefer to listen to Ed Sheeran or Celine Dion?"
But the backlash has led to Cundy issuing an apology tonight, tweeting: “I want to sincerely apologise for the comments I made on Good Morning Britain. I came away realising just how foolish and out of order they were and how I deserved the backlash I have received.
“There are times when you have to hold your hands up and admit you are wrong and have been an idiot - and this is definitely one of those times.
“I regret the comments and also the hurt and anger they caused. I realise there is absolutely no place for these demeaning attitudes towards female commentators and I'm truly sorry.”
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His comments sparked a fierce response on social media.
And it led to Chelsea star footballer Fran Kirby and sports presenter Jacqui Oatley hitting back at Sparks' critics following her World Cup commentary.
Oatley herself made history when she became the first female commentator on Match of the Day back in April 2007.
Posting on Twitter, she wrote: "Frustrating that this “female commentator” debate is still such an issue, 11 years after my first MotD (Match of the Day) game and 8 years after I did 7 live World Cup commentaries on 5 Live.
"Voice/style preference is always subjective - to say it “shouldn’t be allowed” says more about the critic.
"I’ve been trying to stay out of this as I just want the likes of @vksparks and @robyniocowen to be able to crack on doing a fine job without adding to the scrutiny (which affected my confidence for a while).
"Still feel we’ve made progress. Dinosaur dissenters are in the minority.'"
Sparks is part of the team which includes host Gary Lineker alongside Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer.
She is often heard on BBC's Final Score and Radio Five Live, and previously covered the highlights for Iran's victory over Morocco last week.
Unsurprisingly, Cundy's comments were met with a outpouring of shock on social media.
Sam Wheeler posted on Twitter: "Let's hope Jason Cundy is not representing all men out there @GMB.
"Why on earth some men have a problem with female commentators is totally beyond me!"
And another posted: "Pretty sure whatever Jason Cundy thinks isn’t even slightly in the public interest."
Michael Pearlman was quick to point out that two of the BBC's female pundits, Alex Scott and Eni Aluko, "have 242 England caps between them" and that Cundy is "a massive candidate to be in the worst Spurs XI."
Aluko is also working with talkSPORT in their World Cup coverage.
David Williamson was massively shocked to find himself "agreeing with Piers Morgan" in light of the discussion on the hit TV show.