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Brendan Rodgers gets accused of ‘casual sexism’ after comment he made to female BBC reporter

Brendan Rodgers gets accused of ‘casual sexism’ after a comment he had made to female BBC reporter on Sunday afternoon.

The Celtic head coach faced criticism for his sexist remark directed at the BBC’s Jane Lewis after his team’s came back from going behind to beat Motherwell.

He reportedly stormed off in the middle of his post-match interview, while also making a “good girl” remark, as can be heard below.

Speaking after the game, Rodgers said: “To get the win was important for us, psychologically, and for our football. It was another game to convince that when we play how we can play then the goals and creativity will be there. So I’m delighted for the players because like I’ve said, there’s a story been written about this group, so we will write our own story.”

Asked to explain his “story” comment, he replied: “No, no, you know exactly what I mean.” Probed once again, Rodgers then came out with: “Are we done? Good girl, well done.”

According to the Daily Mail, Jane Lewis is ‘not fazed at all’ by Rodgers’ remark, but instead was left frustrated he left the interview early.

The comment had led to criticism including from the Scottish Feminist Network, who slammed Rodgers. A spokesperson said: “Jane Lewis was just doing her job, trying to extract an explanation from Brendan Rodgers on his cryptic comment.

“That the go-to attitude was condescension is quite illuminating, but really very depressing in 2024. We thought dinosaurs were extinct.”

For Women Scotland wants Rodgers to issue an immediate apology. They said: “It’s depressing that casual sexism is still embedded in sport. Women’s achievements are underrated and dismissed, and their professional status undermined. Rodgers owes the reporter an apology.”

Former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling was left aghast. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “Good girl, good girl? Goodness me, Brendan. What does he mean?”

Speaking after the game, Rodgers said: “To get the win was important for us, psychologically, and for our football. It was another game to convince that when we play how we can play then the goals and creativity will be there. So I’m delighted for the players because like I’ve said, there’s a story been written about this group, so we will write our own story.”

Asked to explain his “story” comment, he replied: “No, no, you know exactly what I mean.” Probed once again, Rodgers then came out with: “Are we done? Good girl, well done.”

But the Daily Mail says Lewis is ‘not fazed at all’ by Rodgers’ remark, although she was frustrated he left the interview early.

Eamonn Holmes defended Brendan Rodgers: “He meant good girl.

“Brendan Rodgers is from Carnock in Northern Ireland. We say ‘good girl’ all the time.

“We are admonished for it all the time because it’s not contemporary.

“I can honestly tell you that Northern Irish people will say ‘good girl, good boy, good lad’.”

Co-host Isabel Webster accused him of making a “belittling” comment.

“He sounds a bit annoyed and she is not a girl, she’s a woman”, she said.

“You can see why it’s raised some eyebrows.”

Sports reporter Paul Coyle went on to add that being referred to as ‘good lad’ would also be patronising, this however was Eamonn did not agree with.

“I wouldn’t even think twice”, he responded.

Twitter users reacted as Brendan Rodgers gets accused of ‘casual sexism’ after a comment he made to the female BBC reporter…

@Stephen4_2: Brendan Rodgers uses the phrase ‘good lad’ regularly with male media in interviews. Has done for years. To use ‘good lass’ to a female shows equality. Anyone taking offence then it says more about them. Utter nonsense.

@DFrankcom: What has the world come to? The most pathetic reason to be “under fire” I’ve ever heard of

@LUFC1919o4: Is it really that deep

@bobtap29: Losing it big time. The cracks are starting to appear. All the talk from that mob was how would we handle being ahead, so far so good I would say. Wednesday will be tricky, but confident in this manager to get the best out of the team and results required. Game on!

@Mk2Maverick: Oh calamity! Call the #SnowflakePolice He’s from the NOI and that’s common over here! We wud say things like Good girl yerself! He shud tell them all to feck off! This PC correction thing has went to far! Frig them all🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

@mahfxz_: Real life David Brent 😭😭😭

@robert87056: It’s condescending and ignorant but misogynistic is a bit of a stretch. He isn’t speaking to her that way because she is a woman but because she is asking him uncomfortable questions and someone with his ego can’t have that.

@ODJLovesFooty: Such a strange guy

@gllwy1867: Was she a Labrador?

@EssexTpt: Good girl, good boy. What’s wrong with it? #nonsence

@rtjenky: What an absolute weapon Rodgers is, calling a journalist “good girl” is just extremely sexist and patronising.

@Allymac35: Oh get a grip. So if he says, top man, good lad etc then you now need to apologise.

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