EPL side Sunderland will "take no further action" over Manager David Moyes' "threatening" behavior toward a female journalist, according to Mark Critchley of the London INDEPENDENT. The "under-fire" Scot was asked by the BBC's Vicki Sparks if the club's "poor run of form might put him under pressure" from Chair Ellis Short. Moyes "batted away the enquiry and then returned to Sparks off-camera, threatening her with violence if she were to repeat her line of questioning." Moyes said, "It was getting a wee bit naughty at the end there so just watch yourself. You still might get a slap even though you’re a woman. Careful the next time you come in." The BBC confirmed that Moyes had since apologized to Sparks for his "choice of language," and Sunderland declared that "the matter was resolved amicably" (INDEPENDENT, 4/3).
NOT UNDER THREAT: In London, Luke Edwards reported Moyes has been told by Short that his job "is not under threat at the Stadium of Light since the incident and has also vowed not to quit," even if the club is relegated. Significantly, it was Moyes who "instigated the apology," ringing Sparks on Monday, in which he "told her his language was completely unacceptable, before apologising and asking for her forgiveness" (TELEGRAPH, 4/3). In London, Hope, Griffee & Augustus reported when asked if his comments "would be seen as a deterrent to women entering jobs in football," Moyes said, "I think if you look at my history, I have actually been one of the biggest ones campaigning for women's football. I tried to make sure we had Everton Ladies. At Manchester United, I was very keen on them having one. My daughter played for Preston until she was 19." Shadow Sports Minister Rosena Allin-Khan branded Moyes' conduct "disgraceful," adding on Twitter, "David Moyes cannot get away with these sexist threats - the @FA must take action immediately (DAILY MAIL, 4/3).
