BBC under fire for ‘insensitive’ Bartoli remarks

The BBC faced mounting pressure to take action against one of its most high-profile sports presenters for criticising the appearance of France’s Marion Bartoli who won this year’s Wimbledon women’s singles title.

John Inverdale incensed radio listeners before Bartoli beat German Sabine Lisicki when he asked if people thought her father told her when little that she was never going to be “a looker” like Maria Sharapova so would have to fight harder for success.

The BBC, Britain’s publicly funded broadcaster, apologised for the comments after a storm of protests on Twitter, admitting the remark was “insensitive”. Inverdale yesterday said he had written to apologise to Bartoli and told listeners ahead of the men’s final he used “a clumsy phrase” about Bartoli in trying to make a point that not all players need to be “6ft tall Amazonian athletes”.

However, the apology from the 55-year-old failed to calm the fury about his remark made 24 hours earlier and the lack of action taken by the BBC.

“This is appalling. Tennis is one of the worst offenders in sport in terms of the focus on women athletes’ looks and the BBC needs to take action,” said Sue Tibbals, chief executive of the Women’s Sports and Fitness Foundation.

“I thought Bartoli was an absolute inspiration, so spirited and gutsy, and she does not deserve these outrageous remarks. This is not a one-off event from this presenter.”

The BBC was not able to comment on whether any action would be taken against Inverdale.

Bartoli, 28, won the admiration of Centre Court on Saturday when she won her first grand slam title in a straight-sets victory over 23-year-old Lisicki that earned her €1.86 million in prize money.