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’.
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He said: “Tom Knowles has scored for Walsall against Hartlepool.
“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.
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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.
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!”
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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.
One person was shocked, but appeared to find the clip funny, writing: “F**king hell Jeff hahahahaha.”
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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