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BBC football pundit dropped after being accused of homophobic comment about player

A BBC football pundit has been dropped after being accused of homophobic comment about one particular player in recent weeks.

Former Lincoln player and manager Steve “Tommo” Thompson, 65, was handed a warning and told he won’t be on air again until next year after making three inappropriate comments within 20 minutes.

Now he is being accused of making a homophobic comment on air in a clip from September, in which he seemed to aim toward Lincoln City defender Lewis Montsma, 22, for being a male model, the Mirror reports.

In the clip Thompson reportedly said: ‘I was looking through my “gay monthly” and I see he was a male model… I’m not sure I want a centre-back as a male model.’ 

He also said a “drama queen” player would be better suited “wearing a skirt”.

Thompson had previously received a written warning about his use of language in 2018.

He also said in an incident during the recent clash between Swindon Town and Lincoln City as “handbags”, landing himself in hot water with the broadcasting giants.

The 65-year-old, who works as a freelancer, has been laid off for the rest of the year after complaints from listeners about the outdated phrase.

Football Pundit Suspended For Using 'Handbags' To Describe Players Fighting

Thompson made the comment on BBC Radio Lincolnshire during Lincoln City’s 1-0 win at Swindon Town, taking the Imps 3rd in the League One table.

The BBC added today: ‘He has been warned about his use of language before and the standards our listeners expect.

‘Given this, and his recent remarks, we’ve told Steve he won’t be on air again until he has completed some training.’

Bosses added that Thompson had acknowledged ‘some of his comments on air didn’t meet the standards we expect’ but said they would continue to use him as a freelance summariser in the New Year.

Fans reacted in outrage at the BBC’s decision, arguing using the well-known phrase ‘handbags’ did not merit Thompson’s immediate suspension. 

Lincoln fan Bernard ­O’Mahoney, who is campaigning for Thompson’s reinstatement, said: ‘As any football fan knows, ‘handbags’ is an incredibly well-known saying.

‘I can’t begin to think who’d be offended by it. The BBC has lost touch with the public.’

‘Handbags’ is such a common term in sports commentary that it appears in the Collins Dictionary.

It is described as ‘an incident in which people, ­especially sportsmen, fight or threaten to fight, but without real intent to inflict harm’.

Thompson is a former Lincoln City player and manager and is said to be ‘devastated’ by the suspension.   

The matter was talked about on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, have a listen to what was said by clicking play on the video below..

Fans reacted after seeing that a football pundit suspended by the BBC for what he said during a League One game…

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