Complaint
The ECU received three complaints about a half-time report which the viewers suggested were biased against, or racist towards, white people and disrespectful to women footballers. The ECU considered the complaint against the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Guidelines on Impartiality and Harm and Offence.
Outcome
The report, presented by Alex Scott, looked at the apparent lack of diversity in women’s football in England. In the ECU’s view there was a clear editorial purpose in examining an issue which is recognised by those in the sport as a problem and doing so by reflecting an appropriate range of relevant views and perspectives. The report spoke to former players, those working to increase the diversity of participants in the sport, and those responsible for running the game. Drawing attention to such a concern was not the same as exhibiting bias or promoting prejudice or discrimination on the basis of race and there was therefore no basis for upholding the complaints.
Not upheld