Afternoon:
9°c
BBC pundit Alan Pardew apologises for 'rape' comment
16 Mar 2009The BBC apologised today after one of its football pundits compared a tackle by a Chelsea player to rape.
Alan Pardew, the former Charlton Athletic, West Ham and Reading manager, was describing a challenge by midfielder Michael Essien during Match Of The Day 2 on Sunday night.
After the Ghana international clattered into Manchester City midfielder Ched Evans, 47-year-old Pardew said: "He's a strong boy. He knocks him off - he absolutely rapes him."
No apology was made at the time, but the BBC issued a statement today which said: "Alan Pardew apologises unconditionally for any offence caused by remarks he made in the Match of the Day 2 programme last night."
A total of 35 complaints have been received about the incident, the spokeswoman added.
Pardew is not one of the show's regular analysts, but is used from time to time.
The BBC said no decision had been made about whether he would be invited back on the programme after last night's incident.
Reader views (4)
The increasing casual use of 'rape' is a concern and should be discouraged. The English language is rich enough not to have to use a term which, while it does not technically have to have a sexual meaning, is generally understood to have such a meaning through common usage.
- Paul, London, 17/03/2009 10:50
Report abuse
I suggest that the sad people that complained about this comment, and the BBC who apologised, read the definition of the word Rape in the English dictionary, yes it can have forcefull sexual connatations but it can also be used without any sexual context, for example "To seize and carry off by force" or "To plunder or pillage" .....Its also a plant !!
- Paxton, N17, 17/03/2009 09:02
Report abuse
Get over it why must TV be censored when eeryone elses conversations with their mates are not?
- John Brennan, Harrow, 16/03/2009 21:17
Report abuse
The reason this is so bad is that he uses the phrase in a way that suggests some sort of praise or admiration. "He's timed it well", "He's a strong boy, he absolutely raped him".
that to rape or even to absolutely rape (what is the differece) is praiseworthy is what makes this so shocking.
- Jacoma, london, 16/03/2009 18:04
Report abuse
