Soccer Aid angered viewers last night as they accused the show of ‘fat shaming’ some of its stars.
The charity football match, which raises vital funds for the charity UNICEF, aired on ITV yesterday (Sunday, September 6) evening.
What happened on Soccer Aid?
But some of those watching at home were less than impressed with comments that veteran sports broadcaster Clive Tyldesley made about the size of the players with his co-commentator, radio host Chris Stark.
Reacting on Twitter, one viewer said: “The fat shaming of @BigTomD and @Chunkz_EN was a disgrace tonight… ITV doing their best to get complaints… #SoccerAid.”
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Another wrote: “@itvfootball are you guys going to shed some light on the fat shaming done by @Chris_Stark and @CliveTyldesley last night on #SoccerAid? I, myself plus plenty of others are ‘larger’ people whom play week in, week out raising money for different charities and that was vile!”
Viewers brand Soccer Aid ‘disgusting’
A third tweeted: “Fat shaming in a charity football match? Got to bed #SoccerAid.”
Someone else said: “#SoccerAid fat shaming in 2020? Really? Do better @ITV x.”
Jokes about how long it would take to get round him is disgusting.
A fifth put: “Hated hearing Chunkz being fat shamed tonight, jokes about how long it would take to get round him is disgusting. So wanted him to score #SoccerAid.”
https://twitter.com/genhen92/status/1302749171536089088
@itvfootball are you guys going to shed some light on the Fat Shaming done by @Chris_Stark & @CliveTyldesley last night on #SoccerAid ?
I, myself plus plenty of others are 'larger' people whom play week in, week out raising money for different charities and that was vile!
— Fowlezi (@fowlezi) September 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/JomezBeatbox/status/1302868293091459072
#SoccerAid fat shaming in 2020? Really? Do better @ITV x
— Annie Murphy (@anniemaymurphy) September 6, 2020
Hated hearing Chunkz being fat shamed tonight jokes about how long it would take to get round him is disgusting. So wanted him to score #SoccerAid
— Anita Sillick (@anitaapplebum13) September 6, 2020
However, not everyone felt that way, as some took to Twitter to defend the show.
One said: “Hundreds of people are rattled Clive T made fat jokes about a guy that has called himself ‘Chunkz’. LOOOOL, offended on behalf of others. You sad, sad people.”
ED! contacted ITV for comment.
Last #SoccerAid comment tonight, 100s of people are rattled Clive T made fat jokes about a guy that has called himself “Chunkz” LOOOOL – offended on behalf of others. You sad sad people
— LeviSmithPT (@LeviSmith7) September 6, 2020
During Soccer Aid, Clive made a remark about the size of actor Tom Davis’ stomach.
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When YouTuber and musician Chunkz came on to replace him, the broadcaster joked he would feel too tired to play before he’s even hit the field.
He said: “Tom Davis is about to be replaced – and by somebody bigger than him. There is Chunkz, the well known YouTuber. He’s going to be exhausted before he comes on.”
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