An SBS television anchor is being derided by viewers and online trolls for her commentary on the World Cup soccer broadcast – specifically, the way she pronounces the names of international players.
Lucy Zelic has been the subject of abuse in the past for her tendency to enunciate players’ names in the brogue of their native country, with critics accusing her of adopting a ‘fake accent’.
Now, as the broadcaster’s coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow gets underway, the disparagers are starting to rear their heads again.
SBS anchor Lucy Zelic (pictured) is being derided by viewers for her commentary on the World Cup soccer broadcast – specifically, the way she pronounces the names of international players
As the broadcaster’s coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow gets underway, the disparagers are starting to rear their heads
Critics and trolls have condemned Zelic’s tendency to pronounce players’ names in the brogue of their native country, accusing her of adopting a ‘fake accent’
‘World Cup starts tonight. Can’t wait for a month of Lucy Zelic over pronouncing foreign players in a fake accent,’ quipped one Twitter user.
Another insisted that ‘lucy zelic needs to stop trying to use an accent when prounouncing [sic] countries & players… pls no.. just stop.’
The heavily-inflected commentary was a widely-applauded trademark of the late SBS football icon Les Murray.
In his case it was lauded as the mark of a man who was particularly passionate and enthusiastic about the game.
But the barrage of criticism that Zelic has received for employing much the same style of commentary drove the female host to the brink of a breakdown in 2014, as she contemplated quitting her job altogether.
The heavily-inflected commentary was a widely-applauded trademark of the late SBS football icon Les Murray (pictured)
But the barrage of criticism that Zelic has received commentary drove the female host to the brink of a breakdown in 2014, as she contemplated quitting her job altogether
‘At about 12am one morning right before I was due to make my way into the studio, I lay on the bathroom floor in the foetal position crying for hours because I just couldn’t take it anymore,’ she told News.com.au.
‘At that point, I considered calling my then executive producer Noel Brady to tell him that I was quitting.
‘The only thing that saved me on that cold winter morning while I was busy wanting to dissolve into the porcelain tiles was my love for the game.’
Zelic (pictured: left) co-hosts the Australian World Cup broadcast alongside SBS Chief Football Analyst Craig Foster (pictured: right)
There are those who have stepped up to defend Zelic, however, with at least one Twitter user calling out the ‘Bunch of young flogs criticising Lucy Zelic and how she pronounces names.
‘When Les Murray did it, he was a cult hero,’ the commenter wrote.
‘She is paying respect to the world game. Shame on those putting her down, especially women. She has done a stellar job hosting.’
Zelic co-hosts the Australian World Cup broadcast alongside SBS Chief Football Analyst Craig Foster.
There are those who have stepped up to defend Zelic against the naysayers and critics
Many have pointed to sexism as the reason why Zelic is receiving such widespread criticism