Tuesday 28 June 2022 05:12 PM Wimbledon viewers slam BBC after John McEnroe and Sue Barker pay tribute to ... trends now
Wimbledon viewers have slammed the BBC after John McEnroe and Sue Barker paid tribute to jailed Boris Becker live-on-air.
The British and American tennis legends sent their support to their former colleague, who is currently serving a prison sentence for bankruptcy fraud.
During the first day of coverage yesterday, seven-time Grand Slam winner McEnroe said in commentary: 'Boris, we love you. We miss you, man.'
He was joined by Barker, who is anchoring coverage of the tournament for the final time, who said: 'We do indeed, well said.'
The words drew outrage from some viewers who were angry at the apparent support for the convicted criminal, who had been part of the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon last year, but was jailed on April 29 this year.
Despite his conviction he is thought of fondly by former colleagues, while his girlfriend Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro and his eldest son Noah sat in Novak Djokovic's box on day one of the tournament.
The six-time Grand Slam champion is currently serving a two-and-a-half year prison sentence HMP Huntercombe, near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, after he was found guilty of hiding £2.5million worth of assets and loans to avoid paying off debts when he was declared bankrupt in 2017.
Some viewers hit out at the presenters and suggested they should not be showing support for the 54-year-old on-air.
During the BBC's Wimbledon coverage on Monday, seven-time Grand Slam winner McEnroe said during the commentary: 'Boris, we love you. We miss you, man.' Barker, who is anchoring the coverage for the final time in her career, added: 'We do indeed, well said'
Becker, 54, was jailed for two years and six months at London ’s Southwark Crown Court on April 29 after being found guilty of four charges under the Insolvency Act
David William Cobb said: 'Any chance of throwing McEnroe off the programme before he sends greetings to Ghislaine Maxwell or Wayne Couzens via licence payers airwaves (shame on Sue Barker also for agreeing). Boris Becker is a convicted criminal!'
Debbie Scott added: 'Why are your BBC commentators at Wimbledon talking about Boris Becker? The man's a criminal in jail for committing a crime, so why are they talking about him during the Wimbledon coverage?'
Catherine Smith wrote: 'Has anyone noticed John McEnroe's talking and missing Boris Becker, a criminal locked up for fraud. What about the victims he knew he was doing wrong. He should be where he is, disgusting.'
Sarah Yarwood added: 'Stop presenters mentioning Boris Becker. We pay taxes in order to buy license fee, he avoids it and it's rubbed in our face.'
