Commentator slammed for saying Lioness has 'face like a slapped bum'

by · Mail Online

A male commentator is under investigation after making a 'wild' remark about Lioness player Ella Toone during a Manchester United match on Sunday.

Fans have slammed the male commentator, who has not been named,  after he described Ella Toone, 25, as having a face like 'a slapped bum' during a Manchester United vs Arsenal Barclays Women's Super League game on Sunday.

The League has promised to investigate the moment after fans criticised the comment, which comes just two months after the player tragically lost her father, Nick.

Ella, who was part of England's Euro-winning Lionesses squad in 2022 and is one of Manchester United's biggest stars, was taken off in the 61st minute against Arsenal and replaced by Melvine Malard, with United losing 1-0.

The midfielder was sitting off the pitch in the 74th minute of the match when the camera panned over her.

The United star was spotted unsmiling with her arms crossed when the commentator was heard saying: 'Ella Toone, still got a face like a smacked bum.'

The commentary, made on the world feed, an international alternative feed to the BBC's own dedicated live coverage, quickly got picked up on social media and is now being investigated further by Women's Super League chiefs.

It has been a particularly difficult few  months for Toone following the loss of her father Nick in late September.

The game, which was aired on YouTube , took place on Sunday during Gameweek six of the Barclays Women's Super League
A commentator has been called sexist after making 'wild' remark about Lioness player Ella Toone (pictured), during a Manchester United match on Sunday

 The game, which was aired on YouTube, took place on Sunday during Gameweek six of the Barclays Women's Super League.

Fans were quick to come to the defence of Ella, who tragically lost her father, Nick, in September just days after her birthday and only three days before he turned 60.

One wrote: 'Hearing the commentator say 'Ella Toone has a face like a smacked bum' when she got taken off today, all while showing her on the verge of tears has absolutely enraged me.

'She's 25 f*****g 25-years-old and has just lost her Dad. 

'Cut the girl some slack she f*****g trying....'

A second wrote: 'You could just not comment on anything except the football... Rather than pick on someone who just lost her Dad.'

A third penned: 'Omg I just saw the clip of the commentator saying "Ella Toone, still got the face like a smacked bum" wtaf man. 

'The whole commentary was unbearable but that is just out of order.'

'No empathy, absolutely unnecessary and typical rubbish from some of the misogynistic male commentators towards women footballers,' one wrote.

'She has just lost her father so I guess we all would be looking and feeling the same when at work. And I am not a Man Utd fan. 

At the time of her father's death, the football star took to Instagram to share a touching tribute.

The commentary, made on an alternative feed to the BBC's own dedicated live coverage, was quickly picked up on social media and is reportedly now being investigated further by WSL chiefs
The commentator was heard saying United player Ella Toone, 25, had 'a face like a slapped bum during a women's football match between Manchester United and Arsenal on Sunday
Fans were quick to come to the defence of Ella, who tragically lost her father, Nick, in September just days after her birthday and only three days before he turned 60
Ella Toone pictured in April 2022 at England's match against Northern Ireland, she told fans on social media that her father Nick, left, had died earlier this week, three days before his 60th birthday (Pictured right: Toone's mother Karen)

In it, she credited her late father as being the strongest influence on her taking up the sport seriously. 

She wrote: 'You're the biggest reason I’ve achieved what I have, playing without you sat in the stands shouting COME ON UNITED won’t ever be the same but you got the best seat in the house now dad, just make sure you remember to take your glasses for once.'

The midfielder called her late father 'The best dad in the world, best man, my best friend and my best football coach'. 

Many of Toone's fellow Lionesses posted their condolences, including Beth Mead, who lost her mother June to cancer in January 2022. 

Mead posted: 'The best guy!! Thinking of you and all the family, you’ll continue to make him proud everyday! Love you so much.' 

England goalkeeper Mary Earps added: 'Sending you all the love in the world, you’ll forever make him proud'. 

During the final weeks of her father's life, Ella celebrated her 25th birthday, posting a family snap saying she'd spent it 'with the best' (Ella Toone and her father Nick)
The Manchester United star remains one of the biggest stars of the women's game

Toone marked her 25th birthday on September 2nd by posting a photo of herself with her mum, dad and one of her two brothers. The footballer wrote that she it had been 'spent with the best'. 

She added: 'If this year has taught me anything it’s to make more memories, take more pictures, laugh louder, love harder, and hug your loved ones tighter.'

This summer the England and Manchester United star had celebrated the triumphs of her old school friend, Team GB's Keely Hodgkinson.

The pair who grew up together attending the same school, Fred Longworth High School in Manchester have stayed in touch over the years, constantly being cheerleaders for one another. 

Ella Toone celebrated the gold-winning triumph of her childhood friend at the Olympics this summer: The two sporting sensations attended the same school in Manchester together

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The footballer cheered on Keely as she watched her childhood friend reach the height of her dreams as she crossed the finish line first to earn a gold for herself and Team GB in Paris.

She recorded a video cheering on her pal, which was later shown to the athletics star during a post-race interview. 

Grinning at the message, the new Olympic gold medallist in the 800m was taking back by the video.

Asking the interviewer 'How quickly did you get her to send that?

'Oh that's amazing! Our school is going to be so happy, me and Ella grew up together, she's two years older than me but we went to the same school and to see us both from the same hometown on a world level really pushing female sports is incredible.

'She's doing amazing and I'm hoping to follow in her footsteps and do great things for women's sports.'