Chris Sutton has been cleared of any wrongdoing by OFCOM after his comments about Matt O’Riley during his co-commentary of the Old Firm match. Known for his outspoken and often controversial commentary, Sutton found himself in hot water for praising O’Riley’s Panenka penalty kick that put his team, Celtic, two goals in front during the highly-anticipated clash at Ibrox earlier this month. Despite Celtic’s less-than-stellar record with penalties, Sutton commended O’Riley’s bravery for attempting such a bold move in a key match.
Sutton’s comments, particularly the phrase “you’ve got to have some balls to do that in this fixture,” prompted three complaints from viewers who found the language inappropriate. However, after reviewing the commentary, OFCOM determined that Sutton’s remarks did not violate any broadcasting rules and did not warrant further investigation. A spokesperson for OFCOM stated, “A brief remark made during the game’s commentary did not raise issues warranting investigation under our rules.”
While Sutton is no stranger to controversy, this incident serves as a reminder of the fine line commentators must walk when offering their perspectives on live sports events. Despite the backlash, Sutton can continue his commentary duties without any official reprimand from OFCOM.
