Broadcast network beIN SPORTS has issued a formal apology after an off-air comment made by one of its reporters regarding world No. 2 tennis player Aryna Sabalenka was broadcast live.
The incident occurred during coverage of the WTA Finals, as the network aired promotional footage featuring the 28-year-old Belarusian star.
As the broadcast displayed a close-up of Sabalenka blowing a kiss toward the camera, beIN SPORTS reporter Mathieu Sollier was heard saying, “Look, look, look. It’s really terrible.” The remark, which was captured while the microphone was inadvertently left live, reached viewers across the network’s French feed.
The incident drew immediate criticism on social media, where viewers shared the clip and tagged both the network and Arcom, the French audiovisual regulatory authority. Florent Houzot, the director of programming and editorial for beIN SPORTS France, responded to the controversy by issuing a public apology and condemning the reporter’s words.
In a statement reported by OSEN, Houzot expressed regret over the broadcast, noting that the comment does not align with the network’s values. “We strongly condemn the remarks made during the live broadcast of the WTA Finals this evening,” Houzot stated. “We reiterate our commitment to treating all players and personnel with the respect they deserve.”
The controversy coincides with a period of increased scrutiny regarding how broadcasters handle off-air commentary. The incident at beIN SPORTS occurred one day after the network announced a multi-year agreement to broadcast ATP Tour events in France, increasing its tennis coverage.
Shameful moment Aryna Sabalenka is labelled 'horrible' by French broadcaster – forcing beIN Sports to issue an apology https://t.co/soQBY9NLEb
This event follows a similar incident involving player commentary earlier in the same tournament. Reports indicate that Jessica Pegula was recently captured on an open microphone making disparaging remarks about Mirra Andreeva, Sabalenka’s upcoming opponent in the WTA Finals. These back-to-back incidents have sparked a wider conversation within the tennis community about the conduct of broadcast personnel and the necessity of maintaining professional standards during live production.
Despite the off-air controversy, Sabalenka has continued her performance on the court at Indian Wells. She secured a 2-0 victory over Karolína Muchová to advance in the tournament bracket. Sabalenka is scheduled to face world No. 3 Mirra Andreeva in their next match this Wednesday.
As of the latest reports, Mathieu Sollier has not issued a personal statement regarding the incident. The network has confirmed its stance on the matter, but the extent of any internal disciplinary action remains unaddressed in official communications.
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