Sky Sports have been forced to apologise for what Graeme Souness said about Erik Lamela during the showing of Manchester United vs Tottenham on Sunday.
There was a case of ‘stereotyping’ the South American culture when discussing Erik Lamela’s heated moment with Anthony Martial which led to the Manchester United forward being sent off.
Martial was given his marching order within the first half hour at Old Trafford after an off-the-ball incident, arms and elbows to the throat and elbow, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side going on to embarrassingly lose 6-1 on Sunday.
VAR had to be looked at to decide what happened next, and it showed that the Spurs winger appeared to elbow Martial before the Frenchman angrily reacted, so in retaliation, he hit Lamela in the throat.
VAR checked the incident, but upheld Anthony Taylor’s original decision.
United were 2-1 down at the time, how the decision the dismiss Martial only made matters worse for the Red Devils, going on to concede four more times.
Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness criticised Lamela’s reaction to the incident, with the Argentina international going down after being struck by Martial.
He said it was “very Latin”, adding: “We, the Brits, do it differently.”
Sky Sports presenter David Jones had to step in and apologise for what Graeme Souness said, which had “stereoptyped” Latin American culture.
Souness said of the incident: “If Martial is going then Lamela has to go.
“He raises his hands, Martial lashes out, it’s like a tickle across your chops and he’s gone down. It is pathetic. It’s very Latin.
“Is this what the English game is about? We, the Brits, do it differently.”
The former Newcastle and Blackburn boss, who has also managed Benfica and Torino, added: “I’ve played in a Latin country, I’ve worked in Latin countries, I know how they see the game.
“Lamela will sleep well tonight thinking he has done a great piece of work for his team. That is not us.”
Presenter Jones commented afterwards: “Earlier in the show we were critical of Erik Lamela’s part in Anthony Martial’s sending off in the United-Spurs game.
“We would like to apologise for any offence that was caused and the stereotyping of the Latin culture.”
Also during the broadcast, Patrice Evra offered to QUIT his Sky Sports role after his former side were thrashed by Spurs.
The ex-Red Devils defender looked inconsolable as he laid into United and suggested “some people need a slap”.
“Alexis Sanchez made a comment when he signed for United, in his first training session he asked his agent to end his contract,” he began. “That’s what I am going to ask Sky. I really would like to end my contract with Sky.
“It is my second game, I’m a positive person and I never wanted to talk about United because when you tell the truth it can hurt. I am passionate and I love my club.
“I know you have to have some filter when you talk on TV but it is a shambles.”
“Gary Neville I heard him say captain Harry Maguire needs a holiday. We always hear about pairing him with someone. But what about taking him out of the squad?
“I don’t want to start to criticise players. I am someone who’s been there. I make many comments about the board but tonight no one has any excuse.
“They let down all the United fans. I don’t care about the result because I have been beaten 6-1. But it’s just about every year it’s the same story. Right now I feel all the United fans.
“That’s why right now I prefer to do another game than a United game.”
United were 2-1 down when Anthony Martial was shown a straight red card, before then conceding twice more before half-time.
“I really would like to end my contract with Sky – I know you have to have some filter when you talk on TV.” ?
Patrice Evra’s emotional post-match thoughts following #MUFC‘s 6-1 defeat to Spurs is a *MUST WATCH*! ?? pic.twitter.com/dEy4w5GJgD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 4, 2020
Serge Aurier’s goal and a Harry Kane penalty then compiled United’s misery on a sorry afternoon for the club.
When asked what he expects from United, Evra added: “Nothing. To be honest I feel sad. Also for the manager but after we start to talk it’s the manager who will be the next one.
“But what about the board? How many years since Ferguson left? How many managers have been sacked? So that’s the solution.
“Every year now we’re going to talk about Ole’s not that man. Maybe he’s not. Maybe he is. We don’t know.
“He wants players like Sancho but they don’t go for the right price. It’s like when you buy a car. I know the price but I say I’m bidding less. But what’s going on with my club?
“What’s going on today? I’m really emotional. It’s really difficult to break a man like me. I’m a really positive person but I don’t promote the violence but many people need a good slap right now.
“That’s what I would do right now.”
Fans gave their reaction after Sky Sports apologise for what Graeme Souness said about Erik Lamela…
Got to say @Skysports studio & match commentators were embarrassing from Evra throwing his toys out the pram, the stereotyping of Latin footballers, Carragher laughing & insulting Villa while 5-2 up and Souness searching for any awful excuses he could. It was shambolic
— AVFC_flowz (@flowz23) October 5, 2020
It’s a lazy stereotype. Plenty of players from other backgrounds dive/play act etc.
— Dominic Booth (@DomBooth19) October 5, 2020
I couldn’t stop cringing listening to him yesterday. Time to be put out to pasture with LeTissier and the rest of them.
— Abigail ✨ (@MufcAbigail) October 5, 2020
I take exception to the “Latin” comment of Graeme Souness about @ErikLamela Stereotyping all Latin football players in this way is grossly unfair. It would be the same as saying that this so called tackle represents the “British” way. Which is doesn’t.
— osvaldo ardiles (@osvaldooardiles) October 4, 2020
Souness there calling all “latin” players cheats…. ?♂️ pic.twitter.com/rYxJQbzmb3
— Graeme Wood (@BigWoodsey) October 4, 2020
? There are ropey decisions in every Premier League game, but…
? it is NOT AN EXCUSE for xenophobia from Graeme Souness
“It’s very Latin”
“We the British do it differently”
? It’s a no to your prejudice, thanks #COYS pic.twitter.com/yvXVhvvfav— Chris Paouros (@chrispaouros) October 4, 2020
Souness about Lamela-“That’s very Latin”#MUNTOT pic.twitter.com/qyxGG5Rb6R
— Mattyh_08 #BLACKLIVESMATTER (@mattyh_08) October 4, 2020
Souness insinuating that Lamela dived because that’s what “Latin countries” do, and that’s not what “we” do in the “English” Premier League.
Vardy and Grealish fall over six times a game.
— Jaack (@Jaack) October 4, 2020
Graeme Souness trying to claim that Lamela’s behaviour is because he’s from Latin America and acting like British players & Premier League teams are somehow innocents who have been corrupted by the foreign influence… almost as pathetic as Lamela
— Will Gavin (@WillGav) October 4, 2020
Sky apologising for Souness saying Lamela going down easily to get Martial sent off was “part of the Latin culture”. Made me think of Dunphy on Ferguson and Strachan having a row. One of his greatest lines. pic.twitter.com/ciOejSNw4H
— Ronan Morrissey (@RonanXonkM) October 4, 2020
Souness spouting that the Latin players are diving and the British players don’t. I like Souness, but that’s bollocks. Has he never watched Rooney, Owen, Kane, Young etc?
— Kildare Gunner (@KildareGunner) October 4, 2020
I am appalled and disgusted with Souness and his racial slur towards Latin Americans, @SkySports. Investigate, please
— Max Everson (@Maxelaar) October 4, 2020
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