After the Black Cats draw with Burnley, BBC correspondent Vicki Sparks had asked Moyes if Sunderland owner Ellis Short sitting in the stands was putting greater pressure on him.
David Moyes had responded by asking her to be careful stating, “you’re just getting a wee bit naughty there. So just watch yourself. You might still get a slap even though you’re a woman.”
This is disgraceful. David Moyes cannot get away with these sexist threats - the @FA must take action immediately. pic.twitter.com/kcMSQFmI7g
— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (@DrRosena) April 3, 2017
The ex-Manchester United manager has since apologised for his remarks, “That’s certainly not the person I am. I’ve accepted the mistake. I spoke to the BBC reporter, who accepted my apology.”
Match of the Day presenter and ex-England striker Gary Lineker also criticised Moyes’ handling of the question, “Moyes incident highlights a tendency for some managers to treat interviewers with utter disdain. Pressured job. Well rewarded. Inexcusable.”
Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League with 20 points.
English FA seeks explanation
The English Football Association has reportedly contacted Sunderland over Moyes’ comments, and that it will seek the Scot’s observations before deciding whether to take action.