Moyes 'deeply regrets' telling female reporter she 'might get a slap'
Sunderland manager David Moyes said Monday that he "deeply regrets" telling a female reporter she "might get a slap" following March 18's goalless home draw with Burnley, according to BBC Sport.
The Football Association will reportedly ask Moyes to explain his comments to Vicki Sparks before considering action against the Black Cats manager.
After the Burnley match, BBC Newcastle and Radio Five reporter Sparks asked the Scotsman whether the rare appearance of club owner Ellis Short in the stands meant his job was under greater threat on Wearside. That prompted Moyes to produce a peculiar warning when he believed he was off camera.
"You were just getting a wee bit naughty at the end there, so just watch yourself," he was caught saying to Sparks in a recording released by the Daily Star. "You still might get a slap even though you're a woman.
"Careful the next time you come in."
The pair then laughed together, and Sparks didn't submit a complaint about Moyes' conduct. The former Everton and Manchester United boss did offer an apology for his behaviour thereafter, however, which the BBC confirmed that Sparks had accepted.
"It was in the heat of the moment. I deeply regret the comments I made. That's certainly not the person I am. I've accepted the mistake. I spoke to the BBC reporter, who accepted my apology," Moyes said in Monday's press conference when quizzed on the incident, according to the Guardian.
Moyes' words to Sparks were met with condemnation from outside the football world, including from women's support groups, domestic violence charities, journalists, and politicians.
Shadow sports minister Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan called for the Football Association to open disciplinary proceedings against the gaffer over the incident:
This is disgraceful. David Moyes cannot get away with these sexist threats - the @FA must take action immediately. pic.twitter.com/kcMSQFmI7g
— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (@DrRosena) April 3, 2017
Ex-England international Gary Lineker said Moyes treated the reporter with "utter disdain" that was "inexcusable."
"Inability to handle pressure has long been Moyes' Achilles heel," Daily Mail football editor Ian Ladyman tweeted. "This episode is a rather sad manifestation of that."
Sunderland lost 1-0 at Watford on Saturday to leave it steeped in the relegation zone. Eight points separate it from safety before Tuesday's trip to a reinvigorated Leicester City in the east Midlands.