A BBC actress has come under fire for comments she made about Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye during an appearance on ITV on Tuesday night. Sarah Hadland sparked a social media backlash after openly admiring the Super Eagles shot-stopper while appearing on the programme.
The 55-year-old Miranda star joined Stephen Mangan and Ardal O'Hanlon to promote their West End play The Truth, but the conversation soon turned to international football and this summer's World Cup .
Nigeria will not be taking part in the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Super Eagles narrowly missed out on qualification, finishing one point behind South Africa in their group and denying fans the chance to see their famously popular kits on football's biggest stage .
Sarah Hadland's 'Double Standard' Comment About Nigeria's Goalkeeper
When asked about watching the tournament, Hadland became visibly flustered, declaring: "I will be watching now I've seen the Nigerian goalkeeper. Have you seen him?! Wowee, thank you very much!" She continued (watch the full segment below) :
"I mean, he's absolutely gorgeous. I don't care if he can do Shakespeare. Looking lovely in a tight top, thank you."
One of the presenters pointed out that they'd "hate to objectify a man," but everyone in the studio had quickly glossed over the comments with a laugh. Criticism has come thick and fast on social media, though.
She's Now Under Fire For Her Comments
"There are some people who should just be kept off TV," one X user reacted to Hadland's comments, "it’s not okay to talk like this about a man, woman, etc." Elsewhere, another remarked:
"Imagine a man talking about a female sports person like this, he would be cancelled. This is double standards, and the other people on the show should have called this out."
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A third added: "Double standards everywhere you turn," while a fourth wrote: "If this was a man speaking about a female, he would lose his job and be forced to apologise."
A fifth also concluded: "Indicative that this hasn't been condemned by any leading media or broadcasters. If this was a man talking about a woman, there'd be all manner of anger and fume. Ridiculous hypocrisy."
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