The thing we missed in the Lucy Zelic saga

NOT only is criticism of Lucy Zelic for being a professional unhinged, it misses a very important point about her incredible workload, writes Selina Steele.

Lucy Zelic put enormous effort into pronouncing names correctly during her soccer commentary. (Pic: Chris Pavlich)

ACCURATE, respectful and not least of all, a nod to Aussie football legend Les Murray.

What’s not to love about Lucy Zelic’s commentary during the 2018 Russia World Cup?

It is absolutely unfathomable — and absurd — to see Zelic cop social media criticism for her professionalism.

Zelic, who has provided match analysis and insights alongside Craig Foster for SBS, has been singled out for her commitment to pronouncing names as they would be spoken in those players’ home nations.

It’s the World Cup, we’re a multicultural society — and it’s a continuation of the care and cultural respect that Murray was renowned for.

In fact, Murray became a cult figure with his pronunciations.

Haven’t the Twitterati noticed Murray’s memoir featuring prominently on the SBS set’s table?

Murray, a Hungarian-Australian, changed his name from its original László Ürge after becoming fed up with its frequent mispronunciation.

Zelic should be applauded for her commitment to research — and professional sports broadcasting.

The continual over-pronunciation of names by Lucy Zelic is extremely awkward

— JP (@lonhro7) June 15, 2014

Earlier this year, Channel 7 was forced to defend former aerial skier turned Winter Olympics commentator Jacqui Cooper who made an awkward gaffe during their Games telecast.

Commentating on Chinese aerial skier Yan Ting the five-time Winter Olympian said: “Very Chinese. They all look the same. Very hard to tell who is who.”

Not a lot of research there, and a dash of what sounded like casual racism (though she later said she was referring to the Chinese team’s jumping style).

Speaking of lack of research — April’s Commonwealth Games ... commentators — again Channel 7 — were speaking of boxer Skye Nicolson’s partner Jack Bowen, who was part of the Australian boxing team as well.

Only he wasn’t.

That was another Jack Bowen, also a boxer who didn’t make the team.

Now we all make mistakes but for social media to rip into a commentator as “annoying” and “insufferable” for getting things right ... is at best illogical and at worst just plain nasty.

The only reason why I am sticking with Optus on Fetch is because there is no Lucy Zelic on it.

— Aleks (@AmazingAntonis) June 20, 2018

Are we, as a society, really that nasty to actually target someone for doing their job well?

Turns out we are and it makes me so disappointed.

I’ll take Zelic’s professionalism any day of the week.

There are some commentators I turn down because I know how factually incorrect their commentary is.

And how lazy their research is.

There are others I turn up.

Yvonne Sampson has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the best sports broadcasters in the business. Knowledgable and personable.

Mel Jones is in the same category and deliberately seeks guidance from respective team managements in order to pronounce athletes’ names correctly. Respectful.

And Nicole Livingstone is one of the hardest working media presenters I know.

#SBSWorldcup eh up ... another evening of our Lucy Zelic trying to sound like a total prat when pronouncing players names

— Matt (@sporteventsrmh) June 22, 2018

I have been with many a team official only to have the conversation interrupted by a call from Livingstone seeking background information. Professional.

But also let us not forget the workload of Zelic and co.

When Floptus stuffed up its World Cup app with streaming drop outs, pictures freezing and fans unable to log on, it was SBS, Zelic and co filling the void. Floptus’s woes basically tripled the workload of Zelic and Foster, extending their shift into a 12-hour day.

Now this is Zelic’s second World Cup and it’s the second time she’s had to endure angry trolls.

In Brazil 2014, Zelic copped such a tirade of abuse that she thought about quitting but the love of the World Game won out.

Thankfully.

It’s no wonder, in an emotional broadcast, Zelic teared up when explaining how important it is for the wider Australian community to understand what it means to have your name and identity correctly represented in the public arena.

So Lucy Zelic, take a bow.

And in the name of the best within you, do not sacrifice your pronunciation and your professionalism to mediocrity and ignorance.

Selina Steele is former Sports Editor of The Sunday Mail in Brisbane, Sports Editor of the Gold Coast Bulletin, has covered Olympic and Commonwealth Games and is the current News Corp Deputy Editor of National News.

Originally published as The thing we missed in the Lucy Zelic saga