Sky Sports reporter criticised for besmirching Everton fans posts heartfelt apology

Sanny Rudravajhala, the reporter who caused so much consternation among Evertonians when he appeared to suggest that he and his Sky Sports cameraman were avoiding Goodison Park last night in case of trouble from supporters protesting the Premier League, has offered his apologies and a self-effacing explanation for his comments.

Broadcasting in the build-up to the Blues' home game against Newcastle Utd, Rudravajhala, who works as a freelance reporter, caused outrage among Everton fans when he explained that he was not at the ground and had stationed himself on the Wirral in view of the ongoing protests of the historic 10-point penalty imposed on the club.

Rudravajhala, whose brother-in-law is a Toffee, was barraged with complaints and Photoshopped images of him dressed like a reporter covering a war zone and the size of the reaction prompted him to message Evertonians via Twitter to apologise and set the record straight.

He explains that due to the fact that Amazon, not Sky, had the broadcast rights to the match, he would not have been able to report from the stadium anyway and that the only trouble he was referring to was the possibility of expletives being shouted live on air.

Rudravajhala's message reads in full:

Evertonians – I can't reply to you all – there's too many. And, as a freelancer I'm writing this as solely me because I know you're wanting me to correct what's out there.

Also, as a football fan who knows exactly what it's like to feel absolutely done over by those in power, I'm just going to say this all this...

First off, I don't think Goodison is unsafe. I was at the game. My brother-in-law is a massive Everton fan and was there too – I wasn't worried for him either!!

To everyone who is p*ssed off with me on that front - I am sorry because that's not what I meant and wasn't what I was talking about.

The only 'trouble' I was meaning was if someone swore on air – that was it – nowt else. We couldn't be at the ground anyway for rights reasons (Amazon game).

I am a Bury fan. For 125 years our club was in the EFL. From 1894 to 2019 we've been friends with Everton in the Football League, even when we were long since no longer in the same division.

I was there though when Andy Johnson was stripped to his underpants on his debut in a friendly and carried around Gigg Lane! I know how Everton fans supported us as we were kicked out of the EFL and that Bill Kenwright wanted to donate £1m+ to save us but wasn't allowed.

I know exactly what it's like when you're completely powerless in the face of what feels like a huge injustice, where the fans are the ones that are truly punished.

Bury are now in Division 9 playing (with all due respect) Charnock Richard and Lower Breck, when before we were getting promoted at Tranmere (twice). I'm not sure we'll ever get back and I wonder if my kids will ever experience derby days in the Football League where it's absolutely rocking – just like at Goodison last night.

Most people who've had a go at me have called me a 'wool', a 'sausage' and a 'g*bshite'. Nothing much worse than that. In an age where all sorts of truly awful stuff gets thrown about on socials, even that is a funny sort of testament to what Everton fans are like.

So, understand that I didn't at all mean to badmouth #EFC – far from it. I think you're one of the few big clubs left that are like how it’s like at my team. 

Goodison, pillars and all, is one of my favourite grounds. I meant what I said too about missing it when it's gone and it was brilliant under the lights.

Once stuff's out there, it's out there – so I can't do much about that.

But for my part, I didn't at all mean to label Everton fans as people who could have caused me harm. I was a science teacher for 10 years – once you've had a room with 30 kids with Bunsen Burners who would delight in burning their school down, you can kind of do alright in most places. 

But I am sorry for the upset I've caused. One person in particular sent me a very heartfelt message on that front.

You're always learning aren't you - so I've read every message and obviously reflected on what I would do differently, if ever reporting again.

You've all got enough to fight for, without anyone making things worse, which honestly is the last thing I'd want but I take all that you've said on the chin.

Cheers,

Sanny 'wool/sausage/g*bshite' Rudravajhala

Also, fair play to the photoshops - my mates haven't stopped taking the piss.

 

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