Journalist apologises to Everton fans amid upset at Sky Sports coverage before kick off against Newcastle
Sanny Rudravajhala has posted a heartfelt message to Everton fans over the unhappiness caused by his appearance on Sky Sports ahead of kick off against Newcastle.
The freelance journalist took to Twitter on 8 December to speak directly to the Toffees fanbase after his report from across the River Mersey in the Wirral the night before, in which he had explained the move was to avoid “any trouble” amid the latest planned supporter protest against the Premier League, to apologise for giving the wrong impression.
He highlighted the fact that he doesn’t believe Goodison Park is unsafe and the “trouble” he had mentioned was only with regards to possible language on air, before explaining various reasons for having an affinity with the club which he had not intended to “badmouth”.
Rudravajhala’s full message to the fans was: “Evertonians – I can’t reply to you all – there’s too many. And, as a freelancer I’m writing this as solely me because I know you’re wanting me to correct what’s out there. Also, as a football fan who knows exactly what it’s like to feel absolutely done over by those in power, I’m just going to say this all this…
“First off – I don’t think Goodison is unsafe. I was at the game. My brother-in-law is a massive Everton fan and was there too – I wasn’t worried for him either!! To everyone who is [expletive] off with me on that front – I am sorry because that’s not what I meant and wasn’t what I was talking about.
“The only ‘trouble’ I was meaning was if someone swore on air – that was it – nowt else. We couldn’t be at the ground anyway for rights reasons (Amazon game).
“I am a Bury fan. For 125 years our club was in the EFL. From 1894 to 2019 we’ve been friends with Everton in the Football League, even when we were long since no longer in the same division. I was there though when Andy Johnson was stripped to his underpants on his debut in a friendly and carried around Gigg Lane!
“I know how Everton fans supported us as we were kicked out of the EFL and that Bill Kenwright wanted to donate £1m+ to save us but wasn’t allowed. I know exactly what it’s like when you’re completely powerless in the face of what feels like a huge injustice, where the fans are the ones that are truly punished. Bury are now in Division 9 playing (with all due respect) Charnock Richard and Lower Breck, when before we were getting promoted at Tranmere (twice). I’m not sure we’ll ever get back and I wonder if my kids will ever experience derby days in the Football League where it’s absolutely rocking – just like at Goodison last night.
“Most people who’ve had a go at me have called me a ‘wool’, a ‘sausage’ and a ‘gob[expletive]’. Nothing much worse than that. In an age where all sorts of truly awful stuff gets thrown about on socials, even that is a funny sort of testament to what Everton fans are like.
“So, understand that I didn’t at all mean to badmouth EFC – far from it. I think you’re one of the few big clubs left that are like how it’s like at my team. Goodison, pillars and all, is one of my favourite grounds. I meant what I said too about missing it when it’s gone and it was brilliant under the lights. Once stuff’s out there, it’s out there – so I can’t do much about that.
“But for my part, I didn’t at all mean to label Everton fans as people who could have caused me harm.
“I was a science teacher for 10 years – once you’ve had a room with 30 kids with Bunsen Burners who would delight in burning their school down, you can kind of do alright in most places. But I am sorry for the upset I’ve caused. One person in particular sent me a very heartfelt message on that front.
“You’re always learning aren’t you – so I’ve read every message and obviously reflected on what I would do differently, if ever reporting again. You’ve all got enough to fight for, without anyone making things worse, which honestly is the last thing I’d want but I take all that you’ve said on the chin.
“Cheers, Sanny ‘wool/sausage/gob[expletive]’ Rudravajhala
“Also, fair play to the photoshops – my mates haven’t stopped taking the [expletive].”
Misunderstanding?
It would surely have never been Rudravajhala’s decision originally to suddenly broadcast from away from the ground because of a protest, so it wouldn’t be right to hold him responsible for the situation, aside from making clearer what he meant by “trouble”.
And as a freelancer he, unfairly, may be at most risk of losing work when it is Sky Sports as a major broadcaster who should take responsibility and clarify.
Having been the Premier League’s primary live broadcast partner since its inception in 1992 the presence of potential bad language among a crowd of football supporters is hardly a new concept to them, so even though Rudravajhala’s explanation for being over the river might be entirely accurate it seems a poor reason to have put him there in the first place.
Toffees fans have made quite clear the intention to protest around and during games since the 10-point deduction for a profit and sustainability breach was imposed, just as they had in various marches against the board in recent seasons.
And the situation at Goodison deserves coverage, particularly as it all pertains to the potential future of one of the original members of the Premier League.
More importantly, in the context of the fact that fans were painted as a threat to the safety of the previous members of the board earlier this year, without any corroborated justification for doing so [Daily Mail, 16 January], it is all the more important that Everton supporters aren’t dismissed as dangerous for making their feelings clear about the endless difficulties around the club.
Rudravajhala has stood up and given an impassioned explanation of his position, and that is a credit to him, but with the club having already contacted Sky Sports over the matter the broadcaster should surely do something similar to avoid an unfair portrayal.
In other Everton news, the club’s takeover by 777 Partners is now considered “unlikely” to success according to sources close to the process.