David Moyes Threatens to "Slap" BBC Reporter

David Moyes tells a female reporter she 'might get a slap' over her questioning in an interview. He has apologised — ITV News (@itvnews)April 3, 2017

During the typical post-match interview following the Sunderland-Burnley draw on Saturday, Sunderland manager David Moyes said something incredibly odd and more than a little bit inappropriate. BBC reporter Vicki Sparks ended the interview with a reasonable question: "Does it put any extra pressure on you as a manager knowing the owner's in the stands watching on?"

Moyes replied, "No, not at all." He didn't look particularly peeved at the question, flashing a slight grin and shaking his head. Nor should he have been. Even if he didn't like the question, it wasn't a particularly tricky one to answer.

The interview ended, and, with the camera still running and Moyes's mic still on, he said to Sparks, "Just getting a wee bit naughty at the end there," in a slight playful tone, "so just watch yourself. You still might get a slap even though you're a woman. Be careful the next time you come in."

For his part, Moyes said today that he "deeply regrets" the remarks and they were "in the heat of the moment."

— BBC Look North NE&C (@BBCLN)April 3, 2017

He also added "That's certainly not the person I am," despite the fact that another female soccer journalist, Alison Bender, took to Twitter to say that Moyes has said similar things to her.

2/2 …these are not the first off camera remarks I've heard from him aimed at a woman so it makes my opinion a little different. Difficult

— Alison Bender (@alibendertv)April 3, 2017

The FA is asking Moyes for his "observations" on the comments, which will help them decide whether he ought to be sanctioned.