Sunderland 'Fully Support' David Moyes After Apology for Slap Remark to Reporter

Sunderland have offered their full support to manager David Moyes after the Scot apologised for his recent controversial "slap" remark to a female reporter.

Per BBC Sport's Matt Davis and Ellie Thomason, the relegation-threatened Premier League club said the interaction was "wholly unacceptable and such actions are not condoned or excused in any way" and they "continue to fully support" Moyes.

Moyes lashed out at BBC reporter Vicki Sparks last month following a 0-0 draw. Sparks had asked if the manager was feeling the pressure because Sunderland owner Ellis Short had attended the stalemate.

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After his press conference, Moyes told Sparks, per MailOnline's Craig Hope, Will Griffee and Luke Augustus, "You were just getting a wee bit naughty at the end there, so just watch yourself. You still might get a slap even though you're a woman. Careful the next time you come in."

The former Everton and Manchester United boss was subsequently asked by the FA to explain his remarks, according to BBC Sport. He soon offered an apology for what he had said, per Luke Edwards of the Telegraph: “I profoundly regret what I said. I have spoken to the girl, who I apologised to, and she accepted it."

However, not everybody has been impressed by Moyes' attempts to make amends. In particular, Simon Bird of the Daily Mirror took exception to the Sunderland chief calling Sparks a "girl": "The 'girl' being an intelligent grown woman employed by the BBC’s flagship show with the right to ask a pertinent question, without being warned she might get a 'slap.'"

Bird feels the issue further emphasises how women are not always treated equally in football. This latest incident comes after then-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admonished team doctor Eva Carneiro for attempting to treat an injured player on the pitch at the start of last season.

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There was also controversy when now former Sky Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray ridiculed lineswoman Sian Massey back in 2011. Football will again have to answer questions about how well its culture supports true equality.

For Sunderland, the unsavoury incident is one more sad chapter in a season looking increasingly likely to end in relegation from England's top flight with the club bottom of the league and eight points shy of safety.