BT Sport has said that what is believed to be a first-ever all-woman pundit panel fronting the coverage of a live English Premier League game was not a one off.
The channel has come under fire for being "too woke" with its line up for the coverage of Chelsea v Everton.
But BT Sport said that it was marking International Women’s Day by showcasing the all-female line-up of pundits and broadcasters for their Premier League and WSL double-header - but that it was not a one off.
Former England Women captain Faye White joined Eni Aluko and presenter Lynsey Hipgrave for analysis on Chelsea v Everton in the Premier League before the WSL clash between Bristol City and Reading later this evening.
But it was Darren Fletcher who led the Premier League match live coverage with Lucy Ward on co-commentary The all-female panel raised eyebrows amongst some on social media.
One commented: "I assume that, if @btsportfootball @btsport show a woman's football match they will have an ALL MALE panel and a MALE summariser? Right? The b**** of having loads of women pundits on men's football is now tedious."
Another said: "Flicked BT Sport on to see Chelsea v Everton score at halftime. There were women sitting discussing the first half. If that was a women's match with three men on it, there would be f***** sexist uproar. How much more woke s**** are we to have."
BT Sport has been celebrating International Women’s Day with 24 hours of programming dedicated to celebrating female athletes across the globe, both past and present.
It has also an all-female line-up behind the cameras with producers, camera operators, sound engineers, creatives and production managers.
On their website, BT said this was not a ‘one-off day’ but part of their identity as a broadcaster.
"On screen, we have brilliant and passionate female broadcasters. Behind the camera too, we're proud of the talented women - in roles which include producers, camera operators, sound engineers, creatives and production managers - who make BT Sport what it is," the broadcaster said.
"But this is a journey. We know there's more we can do, and should do, at all levels, to make women in sport and sports broadcasting inspiring to girls and representative of the society that we live in.
"So on International Women's Day, BT Sport is taking the opportunity to pay homage to the sportswomen and brilliant broadcasters that enrich our sport, our shows and help make us a better team.
"This is not a one-off day. This is us. The women you're watching on BT Sport today, and those behind the camera, are part of our team - they're integral and important to who we are. We say to those who show resistance and hostility to women in sport that BT Sport is not a channel for you.
Happy #InternationalWomansDay #IWD and how fabulous to see all women presenters on #btsport coverage of Chelsea vs Everton! Let’s hope this happens more often and #notjustinternationalwomensday pic.twitter.com/p03J4LpuT9
— Barbara Richards (@canadianlondon) March 8, 2021
"We're excited to present a great evening of live football for you tonight, in the company of some outstanding experts. And we look forward to what's to come, as we continue to work together to make sport a more open and inclusive place for everyone who shares our passion."
Aluko made over 100 caps for the Lionesses while White was captain of the side from 2002 2011.
Karen Carney and Rachel Brown-Finnis are also regular pundits on BT Sport.
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