21 August 2023 , 11:52
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Sky Sports commentary duo Bill Leslie and Andy Hinchliffe have been slammed for a “disgusting” and “tasteless” joke after comparing Everton boss Sean Dyche to a croupier.
The pair were selected to talk viewers through the Toffees’ trip to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa. It was a bruising afternoon for Dyche’s men, who fell to a 4-0 defeat at Villa Park.
It leaves the Merseysiders without a point or even a goal after their first two matches of the Premier League campaign. Whilst fans took to social media to share their grievances with the side and their performance, others expressed their complaints at some misguided commentary.
Leslie and Hinchcliffe joked that Dyche “looked like a croupier” - a person who runs a casino table - for a black armband he was wearing. The former Burnley boss, his players and the coaching staff were all wearing the armbands in memory of Michael Jones, a supporter who sadly passed away whilst working on the club’s new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium.
One fan wrote: “Hi @SkySports can I ask why your commentators thought it was acceptable to make a joke about Sean Dyche wearing a black arm band? If they’re so desperate for material can I suggest they get some training? Oh & apologise the family of the young man being remembered. Disgusting.”
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“Why do @SkySports commentators think it’s ok to make several croupier/gambling jokes on Sean Dyche appearance based on his black armband,” another said on Twitter. “Offensive and in poor taste. @Everton should make a point of it. Very poor behaviour.”
Sean Dyche wore an armband in memory of Michael Jones (Getty Images)
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Complaints continued throughout the match, as well as into the following day. A further fan said: “@SkySportsPL @SkySports Disrespectful commentary on the @AVFCOfficial vs @Everton game going for the cheap laugh about Sean Dyche’s black armband that he was wearing in memory & respect for a young lad who lost his life. RIP Michael Jones."
“@SkySportsPL I would like to know what action you as a broadcaster are going to take against Andy Hinchcliffe,” another wrote. “His remarks yesterday about Sean Dyche wearing a black armband in memory of someone who tragically lost their life, was a disgrace.”
A final fan also took aim at the pair by writing: “Commentator joking that Dyche looks like a croupier wearing his white shirt and black armband is a bit tasteless.”
Away from Everton, some of the Toffees’ Premier League rivals offered tributes to Michael Jones. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and his players were pictured attending the site where the 26-year-old had died by laying a wreath among all of the other flowers that had been left in memory. A fundraising page has also been created for Michael’s family and had managed to raise over £30,000.