• Cundy told ITV: ‘High-pitched tone isn’t what I want’ • Presenter later says he was wrong and had been ‘an idiot’

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The former Chelsea and Tottenham defender Jason Cundy has apologised after his claim, broadcast on national television, that female football commentators are too “high-pitched”.

The TalkSport presenter offered up his opinion on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, before being labelled “a sexist pig” by the show’s co-host Piers Morgan.

Evra challenged over clapping fellow ITV pundit Aluko's World Cup analysis Read more

Vicki Sparks became the first female commentator for a live World Cup match when she presented Portugal’s Group B clash against Morocco from Moscow last Wednesday.

However, Cundy was not a fan and told the programme: “I found it a tough listen. I prefer to hear a male voice. For 90 minutes listening to a high-pitched tone isn’t what I want to hear.

“When there’s a moment of drama, which there often is in football, I think that moment needs to be done with a slightly lower voice.”

Cundy is the latest former footballer to find himself in hot water for appearing to patronise female pundits, after Patrice Evra clapped an opinion aired by Eni Aluko on ITV last week.

Play Video 1:01 Patrice Evra criticised for 'patronising' applause of Eni Aluko – video

The ITV reporter and presenter Jacqui Oatley responded on Twitter: “Frustrating that this “female commentator” debate is still such an issue, 11 years after my first MotD game and 8 years after I did 7 live World Cup commentaries on 5 Live.

“Voice/style preference is always subjective – to say it ‘shouldn’t be allowed’ says more about the critic.”

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Cundy insisted he was not questioning the expertise or otherwise of female presenters, adding: “It’s nothing to do with her insight, the way she delivers it or her knowledge or her ability to do the job – it’s the voice.”

On Monday night he went further and offered an apology via Twitter. He wrote: “I want to sincerely apologise for the comments I made on Good Morning Britain. I came away realising just how foolish and out of order they were and how I deserved the backlash I have received.

“There are times when you have to hold your hands up and admit you are wrong and have been an idiot – and this is definitely one of those times. I regret the comments and also the hurt and anger they caused. I realise there is absolutely no place for these demeaning attitudes towards female commentators and I’m truly sorry.”