Laura Woods’ ‘worst’ spat, X-rated Richard Keys remark and threats | Other | Sport

Gabby Logan defence

While most managed to offer Logan their sympathies without making it about themselves in such a delicate situation, Keys couldn’t quite resist. In recounting anecdotal evidence of his relationship with the late Yorath, he seemingly included a subtle jab at his mourning daughter.

“Sad to hear the news of Terry Yorath’s passing. He was a warrior and won fans over wherever he played,” he wrote. “He was great for us at Coventry and the reason I got Gabby a job at Sky. I had no idea who she was when we met, but I knew her dad. RIP Terry. Your daughter did you proud.”

Woods promptly took exception to those comments. Particularly, she criticised her fellow Sky Sports alumnus for feeling compelled to mention securing Logan employment while honouring her deceased father.

“Sorry… but what a t**t,” wrote Woods. “Said with zero surprise. Also want to add my respects to the thousands of others who are showing theirs compassionately to a much beloved broadcaster and her family. Sending all my love x.”

This isn’t the first time Keys has mentioned his role in securing Gabby a position at Sky. Logan subsequently shared her perspective on her former colleague, describing him as a “cruel dinosaur” in her 2022 autobiography, prompting Keys to respond with a lengthy 1,000-word rebuttal.

He maintained his Yorath tribute was “entirely misinterpreted,” although the volume of backlash suggests he bears responsibility for clumsy phrasing at minimum.

‘Worst presenter’ response

Well-versed in silencing her critics through sharp wit, Woods finds some detractors make her job remarkably simple. She swatted away online trolls with a succession of razor-sharp responses in early 2024.

An X user named Darren Smithers targeted Woods by branding her “the worst presenter” in sport. However, Woods dismissed the remark with a playful riposte.

“Factually incorrect, Dazzlaaaa,” she responded, including a photograph of herself clutching her Sports Presenter of the Year trophy. It’s difficult to dispute such credentials as Woods proudly displayed her accolade from the Broadcast Sport Awards.

However, some persisted in their criticism, with one troll claiming it “doesn’t count when it’s rigged.” Woods fired back with another sharp response, posting a photograph displaying her multiple Sports Presenter of the Year accolades.

The broadcaster recently stepped away from her professional duties briefly after fainting during a live broadcast of an England women’s friendly match. True to form, Woods was back at work within a week.

Death threat controversy

Woods said she herself became the target of backlash in 2024 following remarks she made regarding a debate surrounding gender identity. This came after gold medallists Imane Khelif (Algeria) and Lin Yu-ting (Chinese Taipei) faced questions about their gender status on their path to victory.

Both athletes were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships following reports they failed gender eligibility tests. While they satisfied the requirements to participate at Paris 2024, they nevertheless faced a torrent of online abuse, with one comment from Woods sufficient to persuade many observers where her allegiances lay.

Woods described a piece by The Telegraph, which contended the International Olympic Committee had fallen short in its responsibilities by permitting the duo to compete, as a “great article.”

However, those two words resulted in an alleged torrent of death threats and other menacing messages. The situation was made more complex because, as Woods pointed out, she was expecting her son at the time.

“Since I replied to this article I’ve had numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child,” she wrote on X in response. “Questions on my own gender (I’m pregnant so guess that clears that one up) calls for my employers to sack me, threats to my home.

“When there are discrepancies with test results – which could impact the safety of another human being, in an environment that above all else should be fair – questions are quite rightly going to be asked. The answers are still unclear, otherwise this topic would be closed.”

The Khelif and Lin cases are made more complex by the fact the World Championships, from which they were banned, are overseen by the Russian-run IBA. However, the IOC is in charge of testing for boxing at the Olympics and cast doubt over the IBA’s findings.

In August 2024, Khelif filed a cyberbullying lawsuit in France relating to her treatment during that summer’s Olympics. X owner Elon Musk and Harry Potter author JK Rowling were named among the defendants.