Football Commentator's Sexual Innuendo Sparks Public Outcry

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A live commentary by football commentator Rama Sugianto during Shoppee Liga 1’s Persita and PSM Makassar match on Friday, March 6, sparked public outcry after he made degrading comments on a group of female fans. 

Many internet users went on online forums and social media platforms to protest against the comments made by Rama.  The match was aired by O Channel TV which eventually issued a public apology for Rama’s degrading sexual innuendo against the female fans and women in general. 

Both O Channel TV as the official broadcaster of Shoppee Liga 1 and Rama Sugianto issued public apologies on Twitter and Instagram on Sunday, March 8.

“O Channel management offers its deepest apology over the incident where one of our commentators made an inappropriate comment in a  Shoppee Liga 1 match,” wrote the TV broadcaster in a social media post. 

Rama’s comment was heard during the football match between Persita and PSM Makassar when the camera panned across a group of female Persita fans cheering across the grandstand. 

The sexual innuendo expressed by the commentator as the camera panned across the fans was heard as; “Some things stand out but aren’t talent. Some things are huge but aren’t hope,” joked Rama to fellow commentator Erwin Fitriansyah and ended his comment with laughter which many believe is downright demeaning toward women. 

Rama Sugianto’s comment on the group of female fans also comes at a time women and the public, in general, are commemorating International Women's Day on March 8. 

O Channel claims to have issued a formal warning against Rama and gave the commentator an internal sanction. 

TEMPO.CO | ISTIQOMATUL HAYATI