Hansen, Lawrensen and Shearer bring shame on the BBC

[Jodie Shoreline]

I have also now received the generic reply. Have re-complained as follows:

The response received to my original complaint is a completely generic response which I believe has been sent out in identical fashion to many varied complaints about the abysmal standard of punditry with respect to Mario Balotelli. The response does not answer the specific points I made at all. Whether '...Mario Balotelli has been a controversial figure throughout his career...' or not surely does not entitle your staff to make personally insulting and demeaning comments about Mr. Balotelli as appears to be implied by your response. Am I to take it that the BBC considers the comments made by Shearer and Hansen (and also Lawrenson) to be acceptable on air as you have not addressed this point at all? I note that no such criticisms were made of Wayne Rooney during the same match despite at least as much controversy surrounding his on and off field behaviour in the past. Is this because Mr. Balotelli is not English? Or for some other reason? I look forward to receiving a substantive response on this occasion.

I think we now know that the BBC is trying to bluff it so we need to go above their heads. I've written to the club, MP's and many anti-racism organisations. Does anyone remember the Carling Cup match between Manchester City and Liverpool on 11/1/2012? I've just watched the BBC coverage again and guess what? Guy Mowbray and Mark Lawrenson did the same nasty and vile job on Mario throughout the commentary. They even suggested that he was pretending to be injured when he was taken off.

Don't waste time writing to the BBC, try papers like the Guardian/Observer, the club and MP's. We can't let the BBC get away with this.

 

[Ray78]

There is an ongoing feud between City and BBC at the moment. Any complaints would be replied to but will fall on deaf ears.

 

[jamielowndes]

The wild double standard that this country takes with "Stupid" Mario Balotelli, compared to Wayne "Our Messi" Rooney is diabolical.

 

[Jodie Shoreline]

There is an ongoing feud between City and BBC at the moment. Any complaints would be replied to but will fall on deaf ears.

I'd be very surprised if we see Mowbray and Lawrenson at the Etihad next season. The BBC wouldn't dare and I suspect the club wouldn't invite them.

 

[Zabbasbeard]

Made 2 complaints to the BBC (one after the Quarter Final and one after the Final) had 2 standard replies which are very similar. I think our complaints may possibly have had an effect because even if those twats Hansen and Lawrenson still got stuck into Mario there was more balance - Vialli and Lineker did put Mario's case on Final evening. In the Eng v Ita match it was a free for all with Lee Dixon fighting his corner. Wouldn't surprise me if omeone has spoken to Lineker.
Complained to Kick it Out. Planning to contact my MP

 

[Ray78]

Patrick Barclay summed it up in a brief interview before one the Italy's games, that the press will not change their attitude towards Mario when playing in England. The only way to make them look like dicks is to carry on the form he has shown in the Euro into this season.

 

[Vienna_70]

I agree about Claridge; he is a complete knob and hates City with a passion.

He's another one I cannot stand. It has really come to something when the BBC is no longer the bastion of balance and fairness it once was.

We need to keep up the pressure and continue with the coplaints until we receive satisfaction.

 

[BobbyLazarus]

It has really come to something when the BBC is no longer the bastion of balance and fairness it once was.

MOTD has always been a personal soapbox for one presenter or another. Bluemooners of a particular vintage will remember Jimmy Hill's astonishing attack on Brian Kidd

 

[Jodie Shoreline]

We should all write/call/email/tweet discussion programmes such as those on Sky, 5-Live, TalkSport and Newsnight. Victoria Derbyshire on 5-Live seems fair minded and probably knows nothing about this issue. If Patrick Barclay is saying that the media won't change towards Balotelli I would ask the question, why not?

Judging by the BBC's standard reply letter they realise that they daren't answer specific points because they'd have to concede that Balo was victimised. They would then be stuffed.

 

[CityEssex49er]

Got the bog standard reply from the B. B. C. as well.