Pardew causes a storm after 'rape' comment on Match of the Day 2By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 6:25 PM on 16th March 2009
The BBC has apologised after Match of the Day pundit Alan Pardew generated a storm of complaint by comparing a tackle in the Chelsea v Manchester City match to 'rape'.
The former West Ham and Charlton manager was a guest on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night when he made the comment about Michael Essien shaking off a robust tackle from City's Ched Evans.
Pardew said: 'Ched Evans is a strong boy but Essien knocked him off the ball. He absolutely rapes him there.'
Co-presenters Adrian Chiles and Alan Hansen looked stunned by the comment but no attempt was made to apologise during the show.
Women's groups condemned Pardew for using the word so lightly and are demanding an apology.
Lee Eggleston, chairwoman of Rape Crisis England and Wales, slammed Pardew for 'trivialising' sexual violence.
She said: 'The use of this language is completely inappropriate and I'm shocked to hear about it - I can't imagine why Pardew has said it.
Pardew was commenting on the attempt by City's Welsh striker Ched Evans (left) to tackle Essien (right) during the Chelsea v Manchester City game
'That something as serious as sexual assault has been mis-used to describe football is appalling.
'He has trivialised and undermined the seriousness of rape and anyone who has suffered sexual violence will rightly be angry hearing of it.
'I think he should apologise because otherwise it sets an example that it is okay to use the word rape in that context.
'We have spent 25 years making sure sexual violence is not acceptable and rape is a serious crime and this can only hurt that.'
In 2003, BBC journalist Stuart Roach described Pardew as being a 'dangerous and distant animal' due to his poor public relations abilities.
But after the Charlton Athletic manager parted company with the club in November last year he has tried to build a career as a pundit.
Pardew has been described as a 'dangerous and distant animal' due to his poor public relations abilities
It is believed that his appearance on Match of the Day 2 was his first job in the role for the BBC.
Alka Searle, acting chairwoman for SEVANA rape charity in North Staffordshire, said she is 'absolutely appalled' by his comments.
She said: 'This man needs to understand that rape is a horrific crime and not a word to be taken lightly.
'He is sending out the message that rape is a very trifling crime which doesn't mean anything and this is definitely not the case.
'I am absolutely appalled the word has been used so lightly and I think it is very inappropriate.'
Michele Campbell, who works for Rape Crisis in Nottingham, added: 'To compare rape to a tackle on a sports field marginalises the ordeal women suffer.
'It's really tactless for anyone to use rape in that particular context but especially for someone who is well-known and speaking to a massive audience.
'This man should know better because he has a responsibility to his viewers, in which he has totally failed.'
A spokeswoman for the BBC apologised for Pardew's comments on Monday but would not reveal whether he will be used as a pundit in the future.
She said: 'Alan Pardew apologises unconditionally for any offence caused by remarks he made on the Match of the Day 2 programme last night.
'We have received a total of 35 complaints.'
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Maybe I'm just not sensitive enough, but I really can't see what the fuss is about. I look at the comments by some of the people and think them to be ridiculous.
What do you lot think? Was it really such a bad comment?
Either way, someone please remind me to never say again the phrase "I could murder a cup of tea" wouldn't want anyone to think I was taking the word too lightly...................
Last updated at 6:25 PM on 16th March 2009
The BBC has apologised after Match of the Day pundit Alan Pardew generated a storm of complaint by comparing a tackle in the Chelsea v Manchester City match to 'rape'.
The former West Ham and Charlton manager was a guest on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night when he made the comment about Michael Essien shaking off a robust tackle from City's Ched Evans.
Pardew said: 'Ched Evans is a strong boy but Essien knocked him off the ball. He absolutely rapes him there.'
Co-presenters Adrian Chiles and Alan Hansen looked stunned by the comment but no attempt was made to apologise during the show.
Women's groups condemned Pardew for using the word so lightly and are demanding an apology.
Lee Eggleston, chairwoman of Rape Crisis England and Wales, slammed Pardew for 'trivialising' sexual violence.
She said: 'The use of this language is completely inappropriate and I'm shocked to hear about it - I can't imagine why Pardew has said it.
Pardew was commenting on the attempt by City's Welsh striker Ched Evans (left) to tackle Essien (right) during the Chelsea v Manchester City game
'That something as serious as sexual assault has been mis-used to describe football is appalling.
'He has trivialised and undermined the seriousness of rape and anyone who has suffered sexual violence will rightly be angry hearing of it.
'I think he should apologise because otherwise it sets an example that it is okay to use the word rape in that context.
'We have spent 25 years making sure sexual violence is not acceptable and rape is a serious crime and this can only hurt that.'
In 2003, BBC journalist Stuart Roach described Pardew as being a 'dangerous and distant animal' due to his poor public relations abilities.
But after the Charlton Athletic manager parted company with the club in November last year he has tried to build a career as a pundit.
Pardew has been described as a 'dangerous and distant animal' due to his poor public relations abilities
It is believed that his appearance on Match of the Day 2 was his first job in the role for the BBC.
Alka Searle, acting chairwoman for SEVANA rape charity in North Staffordshire, said she is 'absolutely appalled' by his comments.
She said: 'This man needs to understand that rape is a horrific crime and not a word to be taken lightly.
'He is sending out the message that rape is a very trifling crime which doesn't mean anything and this is definitely not the case.
'I am absolutely appalled the word has been used so lightly and I think it is very inappropriate.'
Michele Campbell, who works for Rape Crisis in Nottingham, added: 'To compare rape to a tackle on a sports field marginalises the ordeal women suffer.
'It's really tactless for anyone to use rape in that particular context but especially for someone who is well-known and speaking to a massive audience.
'This man should know better because he has a responsibility to his viewers, in which he has totally failed.'
A spokeswoman for the BBC apologised for Pardew's comments on Monday but would not reveal whether he will be used as a pundit in the future.
She said: 'Alan Pardew apologises unconditionally for any offence caused by remarks he made on the Match of the Day 2 programme last night.
'We have received a total of 35 complaints.'
----------------------------
Maybe I'm just not sensitive enough, but I really can't see what the fuss is about. I look at the comments by some of the people and think them to be ridiculous.
What do you lot think? Was it really such a bad comment?
Either way, someone please remind me to never say again the phrase "I could murder a cup of tea" wouldn't want anyone to think I was taking the word too lightly...................
He said this in pure footballing terms, maybe it was a bit of a slip of the tongue but I'm pretty sure that's just what it is.
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