Ian Wright has branded Lord Sugar as “foolish” saying the “businessman’s ego is spiraling out of control” while laughing down Sugar’s suggestion that he influenced Wright’s selection as an expert for Monday’s English Women’s Match†
Sugar had complained on Twitter on Saturday that “all commentators are women” on the BBC’s coverage of the Women’s Euros and posted again on Tuesday to suggest that his on-screen comments had led to Wright’s involvement on Monday.
Correcting The Apprentice host’s claim, White said, “Can everyone please stop sending the Alan Sugar tweet. It’s blowing my mind, I can’t believe it.”
Sugar was previously criticized for saying on Monday: “I also note that when men’s football is played, there is a symbolic female commentator to beat the broadcaster: there should be a male commentator in women’s football.” Presenter Gabby Logan was among those to point out that Sugar was wrong by suggesting no men were backing the Euros for the BBC, replying: “We’ve got plenty of men working on this tournament, don’t worry. that you will not be wiped out.”
In addition to Wright, the BBC’s contributors – announced in June – have also seen men, including the current one Arsenal team manager Jonas Eidevall as an on-screen pundit, former Glasgow City manager Scott Booth as co-commentator, plus former men’s footballers including Pat Nevin and Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 live, while Jonathan Pearce was one of the key match commentators.
But on Tuesday morning, after Wright was one of the on-screen pundits for BBC One’s coverage of Monday night’s record-breaking win, Sugar appeared to double down on his comments, adding: