Here is the text of a message I have just sent to [email protected].
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing to complain, strongly, about an exchange between two commentators on Sky Sports 2 this evening. They were Andy Gray, and someone else (English, male). Sparta Prague brought on a substitute in the 82nd minute, and the commentator, whose name I don't know, made some reference to the fact that he is picking up his career after 10 months out with clinical depression. These two despicable men proceeded to make jokes about this.
I was astounded, shocked and disgusted. I do not know the statistics pertaining to Clinical Depression, but a great number of people in this country, and elsewhere, have suffered from it or do suffer from it. It is not a laughing matter, and it is certainly not caused by working with someone - as these stupid little idiots implied.
I cannot begin to imagine how much offence this has caused numerous of your viewers throughout the country. You. or someone in your organisation, might well have watched last week's Channel 4 documentary on Adam Ant which eloquently explained that Depression often has absolutely no relation to life circumstances, although, of course it often is caused by them. I am sure that you and othe rpeople in yourorganisation have many friends, relatives etc who have suffered this condition. Ialso assume that many of your employees have done so, or will do so. I will concede that it is unusual amongst footballers, but I do know that very many athletes (Roger Black springs to mind) have suffered from ME, which is often confused with or associated with Depression.
I expect an apology, on air, from these two fools during the Manchester City - Manchester United match, and during the next Champions League match featuring United. I also expect each of these characters to make a substantial donation to Mind, the mental health charity, and to an equivalent organisation in the Czech Republic, and to apologise personally to the player concerned.
I recall ITV sacked Ron Atkinson for offensive remarks.
I look forward to your substantive reply which will address the points I raise.
Name and address appended
Can I ask - urge - you to do similarly. My blood is still boiling at this. And I missed Ruud van Nistelrooy's fourth goal.
PS I forwarded it to the Guardian for information.
