Glenn Hoddle was criticised by viewers of BT Sport’s coverage of Everton vs Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon, with some describing his comments about “foreign players” as ‘racist’.
The former England manager was on co-commentary duty for the 5:30pm kick off, which saw Everton claim a 3-1 victory over the newly-promoted Middlesbrough side.
During the closing minutes of the first half, Hoddle attempted to praise Everton defender Ashley Williams for his reaction to a challenge from a Middlesbrough player.
“I’m not being funny,” Hoddle remarked, “but a foreign player would have been rolling around after that.”
Almost instantly, viewers picked up on the comment. On Twitter, some described it as ‘racist’.
https://twitter.com/benjaminjudge/status/777194728496455681
Oh Glen Hoddle, really with the "a foreign player would have been rolling around" stuff?
— Seb Stafford-Bloor (@SebSB) September 17, 2016
"I'm not being funny, but a foreign player would have been rolling around after that."
You're not being funny, Glenn Hoddle. Just racist.— G Rhydian Morgan ir Afon (@grhydian) September 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/Kiwiesma999/status/777194479690379264
https://twitter.com/APenge/status/777195592921522176
https://twitter.com/17forlife/status/777194357405417472
Hoddle's mini rant about foreign players "rolling around" on BT Sport is fucking embarrassing, as if English players have never simulated
— henry – South London's Son Heung-min Fan Club Rep (@hjsbaker) September 17, 2016
