Brendan Rodgers, the manager of Celtic, has faced criticism after a patronizing exchange with a female reporter during an interview. The incident occurred following Celtic’s last-minute 3-1 victory against Motherwell. Despite the win, Rodgers appeared irritable during the interview with BBC Radio Scotland’s Jane Lewis, refusing to elaborate on a comment he had made earlier. As the interview concluded, Rodgers condescendingly referred to Lewis as a “good girl” before walking away.
The exchange between Rodgers and Lewis highlighted the tension between the Celtic boss and the media. Rodgers seemed frustrated with the coverage of his team and the narrative being created around his players. However, he repeatedly shut down Lewis’s attempts to gain further insight into his grievances. The abrupt ending of the interview and his remark towards Lewis drew attention and sparked a discussion on social media.
The video of the interview quickly went viral, with many accusing Rodgers of casual sexism for his comments and abrasive tone. The Scottish Feminist Network criticized his patronizing attitude towards Lewis, emphasizing that she was simply doing her job by seeking an explanation from Rodgers. Others, such as campaigners at For Women Scotland, expressed disappointment that casual sexism is still present in the world of sports, undermining the professional status of women and dismissing their achievements.
Despite the backlash, Lewis has remained silent on the matter. According to reports, she is unfazed by Rodgers’ remark. However, campaigners have called for an apology from the Celtic manager. The incident serves as a reminder that sexism still exists in the sporting world and highlights the importance of addressing such behavior.
In response to the controversy, Celtic and Rodgers have not made any official statements. It remains to be seen whether any action will be taken regarding Rodgers’ conduct during the interview.