The BBC have stated that they will not drop Tyson Fury from their list of nominees for the annual Sports Personality of the Year award, following video footage being posted online featuring the WBO, IBF and WBA world heavyweight champion making sexist remarks.
In the video, which was recorded prior to Fury’s win against former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, features a reporter for iFL TV questioning the boxer in regards to his opinions on female athletes such as Jessica Ennis-Hill and Ronda Rousey. However, after expressing his opinion on women’s boxing – to which he replies “I’m not sexist… I believe if a man should go to work all his life, a woman can go to work as well” – Fury then followed up his comments with the following statement: “What I believe is a woman’s best place is in the kitchen and on her back. That’s my personal belief. Making me a good cup of tea, that’s what I believe.”
Watch Fury make the admission in the video below (the comment can be heard around the 58-minute mark):
Fury also said of Jessica Ennis-Hill: “That’s the runner, isn’t it? She’s good, she’s won quite a few medals, she slaps up good as well. When she’s got a dress on she looks quite fit.”
Despite Fury’s comments, the BBC have stated that Fury will remain in contention for the Sports Personality of the Year trophy, with a statement from the broadcaster reading: “The Sports Personality shortlist is compiled by a panel of industry experts and is based on an individual’s sporting achievement – it is not an endorsement of an individual’s personal beliefs either by the BBC or members of the panel.”
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