WARNING: CONTAINS REFERENCES TO SUICIDE
Jeff Stelling is facing backlash online after making a comment about going to ‘slash his wrists’ on Soccer Saturday.
The 67-year-old presenter was updating viewers on various matches as Walsall’s Tom Knowles scored in the team’s fixture against Hartlepool on Saturday (25 February).
As he spoke to fans, the Hartlepool-born star - who is also president of Hartlepool United - clearly couldn’t hide his own disappointment, joking about needing a break to ‘slash his wrists’.
He said: “Tom Knowles has scored for Walsall against Hartlepool.
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“I’m just going to take a brief break while I go and slash my wrists.”
Hartlepool spent a large portion of the match dragging behind their opponents, having been 2-0 down at one point.
However, the game ended in a respectable 3-3 draw, thanks to further goals from Hartlepool’s Daniel Kemp and Connor Jennings.
While the outcome was better than it could have been for Stelling, his earlier comments did not go down too well with some Soccer Saturday viewers.
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One raged: “I've been a fan of @SoccerSaturday for years, but with kids watching, people with bad mental health or people who use football to escape trauma (including suicide) this is poor from @JeffStelling, and I think he should apologize. ‘I'm guna go and slash my wrists’.”
Referencing Stelling’s badge on his lapel, which shows support for Prostate Cancer UK, another tweeted: “Not the best thing to say with that badge on. I know it was only a joke but come on!”
One simply despaired: “Oh dear.”
Someone else admitted they were 'far from PC', adding: "But saying you are gonna slash your wrists was a bit far. I have friends who have took there own life. And many who are close. Maybe a difference reference in future may be best. Thanks."
However, some argued that the ‘off the cuff’ remark was ‘just a joke’, suggesting Stelling had not intended any offence.
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One person was shocked, but appeared to find the clip funny, writing: “F**king hell Jeff hahahahaha.”
Someone else said: “It was an off the cuff comment because his team conceded a goal. Before long people won't be able to have a conversation at all if we push an agenda in this way.”
Another agreed: “Off the cuff remark, could of been said differently. I suffer from awful MH but I’m not worrying about this at all.”
A fourth added: “Seriously? It's a joke.”
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LADbible has reached out to Soccer Saturday for comment.
Topics: UK News, Sport, Football, TV and Film
Jess Hardiman