BBC commentator slammed for homophobic comment during Olympic kiss-cam

Rio Olympics commentator Paul Hand found himself in hot water after being accused of homophobia, following a comment he made during a tennis match between Team GB’s Johanna Konta and Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova.

During a break between sets, a “kiss cam” began zooming in on couples sitting beside each other in the crowd, who would then kiss for the camera.

Here's Paul Hand's kiss-cam commentary from the Kuznetsova v Konta match. #tennis (sorry for poor quality) pic.twitter.com/Dhv1o1fvnu

— Lee S (@underarm_ace) August 9, 2016

When the camera focused on straight couples, Hand commented saying: “It’s lovely to watch”.

However, he sparked outrage when he added: “Let’s hope they don’t go on two blokes next to each other”.

Viewers weren’t impressed, with some expressing their anger at the casual homophobia on Twitter.

And this is what is wrong with some people in society. Sad. Paul Hand hang your head in shame https://t.co/Fk3sh31HmD

— Andy Bigh Hargreaves (@therealbig_h) August 9, 2016

@BBCSport Could you tell your tennis commentators that two men kissing is ok, and they should avoid being homophobic? That would be grand.

— Nissim Massarano (@nmassarano) August 9, 2016

Your commentator on the Konta/Kuznetsova match has just made a horrid homophobic comment about how he hopes not to see men kissing

— Peter McColl (@PeterMcColl) August 9, 2016

https://twitter.com/gpb1979/status/763116394925977600

The BBC have since apologised for the remarks, saying: “The comment was ill judged and we apologise to any of our viewers who were offended.”

While this year’s Olympics features more out LGBT athletes than ever, there have been claims of homophobic chanting being heard from audience members.

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