Optus Sport has hit back at claims its coverage of the Women’s World Cup isn’t gender balanced, after some viewers had an issue with two male commentators presenting in a segment at the one time.

Walid Sukkarieh, the Director of Sport, Production and Content for the subscription service, instantly shut down one fan’s claims that those watching the World Cup via Optus Sport were “subjected to an all man view”.

The segment in question included former Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and fellow ex-Socceroo and current Gold Coast Knights coach Scott McDonald covering Saturday’s match between England and Haiti.

The pair are part of Optus Sport’s broadcast team line-up which includes 17 presenters – the majority of which are women.

But despite female presenters dominating the team, Schwarzer and McDonald presenting as two men together on the sidelines of the match wasn’t a good representation for women’s sports according to some viewers.

“Surely we’re at the point now where we don’t have to be subjected to an all man view at a Women’s World Cup?” women in sport advocate Danielle Warby asked on Twitter.

Mr Sukkarieh was quick to defend the streaming service’s World Cup broadcast team, saying while he appreciated the feedback he was “proud” of the choice of presenters.

“The sideline crew are supporting our studio team that includes Kelly, Tanya and Chloe, as well as (Juventus) women’s (coach) Joe (Montemurro),” he tweeted in response.

“Mark has covered women’s football for (Optus Sport) since France (World Cup) 19, Scotty our WSL previews. We’re proud of the diversity of our team.”

In rebuttal, Ms Warby said she was “well aware of who is in the studio”, with Mr Sukkarieh’s response not changing her views.

“Doesn’t change the all male view. And why a low capped Socceroo with little comms experience? He could easily have been an ex Matilda of equal standing,” she said.

“There’s no excuse to have only men on the screen. But they still managed it.”

In another tweet Ms Warby added: “There’s supporting and there’s supporting. I’d like to see at least one tweet in five about women’s football to count someone as a supporter.”

“Honestly, we need to raise the bar for what counts as a man supporting us.”

It appeared Ms Warby had an unpopular opinion among viewers, with most siding with Mr Sukkarieh’s perspective, including former Matilda, Olympian and Optus Sport presenter Heather Garriock.

“I don’t tweet about the Premier League or men’s football yet I’ve been a pundit with Optus Sport for years,” she said.

“I would have thought (in) this day and age rather than talk about women and mens football, isn’t it ‘football’. I enjoyed Schwarzer and Mcdonald’s analysis.”

McDonald also responded to the tweet, sharing an Instagram post from Matilda Aivi Luik, who thanked McDonald and his team for allowing Luik and fellow Matilda Emily Gielnik to train with his team during the off season.

“I’ll leave this here for you shall I,” McDonald’s tweet said.

Another Australian who describes herself as a “daughter, sister, wife (and) mother,” said it didn’t matter what gender the commentators are, so long as they know the sport.

“I, as a female, don’t care if it‘s two men or two women talking, they’re talking football – a gender neutral sport,” she tweeted.

“The people discussing it are football pros, they know and breathe the game. Please, don’t politicise this. Let‘s celebrate women’s football.”

Meanwhile a Brisbane man added: “There are 64 games in the WWC. I’ll agree with your point if the majority of games have the above.”

“If it’s only a couple then I think you’re being fairly … unreasonable. Especially considering how many women are hosting the different games and shows as well as commentating.”

Among Optus Sport’s broadcast team is match hosts Amy Duggan, Kelly Somers and Niav Owens as well as Chelsea assistant coach Tanya Oxtoby.

Former Matilda Ashleigh Sykes, former Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Catherine Cannuli, United States women‘s national soccer team World Cup winner Jessica McDonald and Chile professional footballer Cote Rojas are also on the team.

These powerful women join Garriock, Amy Chapman, Rebecca Smith and Amy Harrison.

Meanwhile, former Premier League goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, Montemurro and presenter Claudio Fabiano join Schwarzer and McDonald as the only men on the 17 person team.

Channel 7’s World Cup broadcast team is also gender balanced and is led by 7Sport anchors Mel McLaughlin and Bruce McAvaney.

Commentator Adam Peacock, 7Sport presenter Emma Freedman, two-time Olympian Elise Kellond-Knight and Garriock also join veteran football commentator David Basheer and emerging broadcast talent Grace Gill in reporting on the tournament.

More Coverage

Former Socceroo and broadcaster Craig Foster tweeted he is thrilled to see female presenters dominate the coverage of the World Cup on both Optus Sport and Channel 7.

“A huge rap for the amazing women and former players broadcasting the #FIFAWWC. So enjoying seeing women talking football, all-female advertisements, thrilling football,” he tweeted.

“Elise, Izzy and Mel, Amy, Heather, Niav, Chloe and many more. Well done to you all. A joy to watch.”

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ70qmmq6xfm7ywwMGao6Vnp6S%2FrbCMnKypZ6eav6Z5z6umrpxdpL21wdJmqqmnoql6s7HTmqOimaSawG6txpqgp6ukYq%2Bir8qlmKygXZ7BtHnWsJpmmqKkrqWvwKyrZqyVlrputdKnq2aflaOxpr7BmqOappOasXC6xLCqZqukpL%2B6e5Fra2yaYZiucoWRcZ1pnZJmsaV9wp1sam9hboGkgpJy