Radio stars in 'sexism' row as lewd remark about football physio sparks fury
Radio personalities in New Zealand faced criticism for making a sexist joke on social media following the All Blacks' recent rugby test against England.
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The backlash was ignited after England captain Jamie George was injured at Eden Park in Auckland on July 13 and was attended to on-field by a female physiotherapist.
The Alternative Commentary Collective (ACC) suggested that the physio had performed a sex act on George.
The ACC posted the clip to their social media channels post-game with the headline: "Forget the magic water, how about the magic hand***!"
Although the post has now been removed, it prompted further disgusting remarks from football lovers on social media.
"She [physio] should be in the kitchen making someone a sandwich," posted one supporter.
A second commented, "The entire team on both sides [New Zealand and England] suddenly injured," to which the ACC's social media person replied with a crying, laughing emoji.
Beneath The Glass Ceiling - NZ, which often posts instances of misogyny from women working in the music industry - slammed the ACC'S derrogatory post.
"Sexualising a woman doing her professional job is not OK. 'It is well known that wāhine [women] already have a harder time being taken seriously in sport, they don't need you [ACC] minimising them further," they posted online.
Womenzsport, who post women's sports content, shared their dismay over the lewd remarks.
'It is just so disappointing that women can't do their jobs, live their lives, go about their days without being sexualised,' a comment read.
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"It has to stop. And it will only stop when other men start calling out this disgusting behaviour.
"Being silent is being complicit," they finished.
Mike Lane, General Manager at The ACC, said: "We've missed the mark on this occasion, and we have removed the social media posts.
"We apologise to anyone who was offended by the content. It definitely wasn't our intention to cause any offence."
