Commentator Caught Making Sexist and Homophobic Remarks About Olympics Basketball Team

A Belgian sports reporter has been suspended after he was heard making sexist and homophobic remarks about the Belgian Olympic women's basketball team.

Eddy Demarez has been temporarily relieved of his duties by Belgian broadcaster VRT after he was unknowingly recorded during a Facebook livestream making a series of derogatory statements about the appearance and sexual orientation of several female basketball stars.

Sporza, a sports-orientated brand operating as part of the publicly owned VRT network, were broadcasting the return of Belgium Olympic contingent to Brussels from Tokyo on Saturday when the incident occurred.

Unaware he was still audible to those watching the live video, Demarez was heard speculating on the sexual preferences of the Belgian women's basketball team, the Belgian Cats.

He was also recorded mocking several individual players over their physical appearance, with one female star was branded "a man" while another was described as "a colossus."

Video footage of Demarez making the remarks was soon shared to Twitter, where it drew an angry response, with several Belgian Cats expressing their anger at what was said.

Emma Meesseman, who was one of the players commented on, tweeted in Dutch: "Can I just really, REALLY not have it for awhile? Thanks."

Kim Mestdagh posted a vomit emoji and tagged Sporza in her response.

The strongest rebuke came courtesy of Hanne Mestdagh, who described the remarks as "disrespectful, painful and demeaning."

"So great to be back home," she added sarcastically.

In the aftermath of the incident, Demarez issued a statement apologizing for the comments and claimed he was simply caught up in the "euphoria" of the moment at the time.

"I never intended to offend anyone on the basis of gender or orientation," he said.

"These statements are a stain on the Games that were very successful for Team Belgium and Sporza. I would therefore like to sincerely apologize to the Belgian Cats and their team and also to anyone who feels offended, addressed or neglected by this."

Despite issuing a personal apology to the Belgian Cats and promising to "draw the necessary lessons" from the experience, a day later VRT announced it had decided to suspend Demarez.

"In the coming weeks, it will be examined whether and how Demarez can resume work," the broadcaster said.

Reacting to the news, the Belgian Cats and Belgian Basketball Federation said that while it welcomed the decision to suspend Demarez, they ultimately believe he should resign voluntarily or be fired by VRT.

In a statement published through the federation, they revealed that they were considering further legal action and had rejected an offer from Demarez to apologize to them over a Zoom call, as they would rather see friends and family and felt it didn't go far enough in any case.

The Cats also offered to collaborate with VRT and Sporza to work on an initiative to promote better gender equality and inclusiveness in the wake of the incident.

"We worked towards this moment for years, we sacrificed everything and gave everything we had. Our dream has become reality but we wished for more," Meesseman said.

"Mr. Demarez's disrespectful and hurtful words were a heavy blow that we just can't take at the moment and they'll be a stain on the peak of our careers."

She added: "This is one of many examples of why we will continue to be committed to equality. A new generation is coming, with the right values ​​and with respect for each other!"

Newsweek has reached out to VRT and the Belgian Cats for further comment.