Commentator, Martin Tyler In Trouble Over Racist-like Commentary

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler has faced backlash after making a comment during Sunday’s match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur that was deemed by many as offensive.

The 77-year-old commentator has been with Sky Sports for over three decades, but his latest comment has resulted in Sky reminding him of the need to exercise care with his choice of wording.

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Tyler compared a challenge made by Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son on Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo to “something out of martial arts.” However, viewers perceived the comment as racist because Son is Asian.

While Sky Sports confirmed that no offence was intended, they admitted that they have had conversations with Tyler about the incident.

This is not the first time that Tyler has been criticised for his choice of words. During a World Cup play-off game between Ukraine and Wales, Tyler described Ukrainian goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan as someone who would “soldier on,” which was deemed tasteless given the war in Ukraine at the time. Tyler later apologised and acknowledged that he may have used the word inappropriately.

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In the summer, Tyler was also criticised for describing the Hillsborough disaster as a “hooligan-related issue” during a BBC Radio 4 appearance. Both Tyler and the BBC issued apologies in response to the public backlash.