Sky Sports issue apology to Everton after 4-0 defeat v Aston Villa
Sky Sports have issued an apology to Everton, after “insensitive and regrettable” comments were made about the black armbands worn by the squad in tribute to Michael Jones in their defeat to Aston Villa, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper shared in their print edition [22 August, pg 64] that Sky Sports have apologised for commentators Bill Leslie and Andy Hinchliffe, who joked boss Sean Dyche looked like a croupier (a casino operator) in his white shirt and black armband.
Everton donned black armbands to pay tribute to 26-year-old Jones, who passed away working at the site of their new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium recently. Sky Sports have reminded the commentators of their “responsibilities and the need for care and sensitivity.”
A careless lack of respect
The black armband is a universal signal of respect in football, often worn by teams in commemorative remembrance of a fan, previous player, manager or owner who has passed away. Everybody understands that, so the jokes made show a lack of care and respect.
It is a positive that Sky Sports have acknowledged the comments made, and have warned the two commentators involved about their conduct, as it could just have easily been swept under the carpet and never mentioned again.
Tributes were held across Merseyside for Jones, with the Liverpool squad visiting the Bramley Moore Dock site to pay their respects as manager Jurgen Klopp laid a wreath in his honour. The Everton squad did the same, laying flowers at the site.
Everton football club announced that they would be working with the family of Jones on an “appropriate and lasting tribute” to the lifelong Toffees fan, while fans held a minute’s applause in the 26th minute against Aston Villa which both sets of fans took part in.
In other Everton news, the club have joined the race to sign a wantaway Spurs defender.