15 August 2023 , 18:20
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Melissa Reddy has explained herself after Sky Sports were forced to apologise live on air to viewers for her use of rude language.
Reddy was reporting live on Sky Sports News from Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United’s game against Wolves on Monday. She was discussing the impact new signing Andre Onana could make on his Premier League debut for Erik ten Hag's side when she turned heads with her choice of words.
"He feels that in Onana, he has signed a big personality,” she said. “We've already seen glimpses of that. Him b******ing his defenders when they've made a mistake. He is calm and assured that both players will drive United to the next level."
Presenter Vicky Gomersall then interjected to add: "Just going to apologise to anyone if they were offended by the use of your language there."
A clip of the incident was shared widely on social media and South African journalist Reddy has now given her take on what happened. Former Sky Sports reporter Chris Kamara was tagged underneath the video and wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter : “Sounded like a good report to me.”
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Reddy responded: “Legend, Kammy. Thank you. My definitely, totally, completely unbiased dad agrees.”
One of Reddy’s followers then replied: “Honestly didn’t know it was a bad word.” She replied: “Evidently neither did I. The reaction suggests we are part of the majority haha. It's used all the time here, and even in SA. It seemed the most accurate word in the context too - ‘admonished his defenders’ doesn't sound as right.”
Melissa Reddy joined Sky Sports in 2022 (Joe Maher/Getty Images)Reddy joined Sky Sports in 2022 having previously worked at the Independent. She is a familiar voice for the broadcast and has 455,000 followers on X.
Onana’s first match in the Premier League ended up being very eventful on Monday night. The Cameroon international, who joined for an initial £43.8million from Inter Milan, kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win, but was very fortunate not to give away a penalty.
VAR decided not to intervene after Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic while trying to punch clear a cross in a packed penalty area. Wolves were furious with the decision, which cost them dear as Raphael Varane’s header earned United the three points.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil was fuming and accused Onana of “nearly taking a forward’s head off”. Referee Simon Hooper did not give a penalty, VAR Michael Salisbury checked it but did not deem it a clear and obvious error.