Women's World Cup commentator blasted over "inane" motherhood call
The FIFA Women's World Cup kicked off with a bang on Thursday night, with the Matildas facing off against Ireland in the Sydney opener.
And while the match was a tense and ultimately thrilling affair – resulting in a 1-0 victory for Australia – Network 7 commentator David Basheer's statement following a crucial play drew instant attention online when he remarked on Matildas player Katrina Gorry's hard tackle.
“Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts, that’s for sure," remarked Basheer. "She is one fighter for Australia.”
The comment sparked anger among some some viewers online, who found it "offensive" and "inane."
Several Twitter users raised questions about potential gender bias, wondering if similar comments are made about male players or fathers. Others asked for an end to stereotyping mothers based on their roles.
"Wonderful to be watching the women's soccer world cup game, but some unnecessary, inane (and offensive) commentary," one person said.
One woman asked the commentator: "An elite athlete at the foremost tournament of her sport and you're surprised she's competing to the best of her ability?"
"The commentator finds it appropriate to say: motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts. ARE YOU SERIOUS? Welcome to 2023 mate," another said.
"Dear lord, I thought we were past this kind of ridiculous narrative from male commentators. Do better."
Another wrote: "Oh wow! Did the commentator just refer to 'motherhood' in the way that I think he did?"
A few people were quick to draw comparisons to male players, asking: "Do they say these things about fathers?"
"Never ever heard a male player's parental stays commented upon," another added.
"Has anyone heard a similar remark in relation to FATHERHOOD? It's an intriguing side effect of motherhood that seems to have been kept out of the medical journals," one person wrote.
"Does motherhood naturally ruin your attacking instinct?" one man remarked.
"Maybe male commentators should sit this #WorldCup out?" another man suggested.
With both men and women engaged in the discussion, some called for a formal apology, while others simply urged commentators to be more mindful and sensitive in their commentary.
“Motherhood hasn’t blunted her competitive instincts”
Maybe male commentators should sit this #WorldCup out?
— Darren Levin (@darren_levin) July 20, 2023
Katrina Gorry, a 30-year-old midfielder, became a mother to daughter Harper in 2021 after undergoing IVF as a solo parent in Norway in 2020. In an interview with nine.com.au in 2021, she expressed how her pregnancy gave her a new appreciation for her body and provided an opportunity to reconnect with her love for the sport.
Overall, the incident brought attention to the need for respectful and unbiased commentary during the Women's World Cup, with many hoping for a more considerate approach from commentators in the future.
Images: Instagram