Former United States international and current football pundit Alexi Lalas caused a significant stir during live World Cup coverage on Fox when he used a highly offensive British slang term to describe actor and presenter James Corden. The incident occurred on Friday following a promotional video for 'FIFA World Cup on FOX After Hours with James Corden', which features Corden in a full Team USA training kit.
During the segment, presenter Rebecca Lowe asked for panellists' thoughts on Corden. Lalas was quick to interject, asking, "What do you guys call them? A... full kit w*****?" The immediate reaction from Lowe, along with fellow pundits Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović, was one of visible shock and discomfort. Lowe quickly acknowledged the gravity of the remark, stating, "Okay, lucky we’re on American TV... Because the W-word on British TV..." indicating the highly inappropriate nature of the term in a UK broadcasting context.
The phrase 'full kit w*****' is a derogatory British football slang term used to mock an adult who wears a complete professional football uniform – including shirt, shorts, and socks – in situations outside of actually playing the sport. The term carries a significant level of vulgarity, equivalent to a highly offensive swear word in British English, which many viewers on social media were quick to point out. The remark rapidly gained traction online, with many viewers expressing their surprise and some speculating whether Lalas fully understood the implications of the term he had used.
The incident highlights the cultural differences in language and humour, particularly within the context of live television broadcasting. While Lalas's comment was made on US television, its British origins and the involvement of a well-known British personality like Corden resonated widely, especially among UK audiences online. Corden's 'After Hours' show is part of Fox's extensive coverage of the World Cup, which officially began on Thursday with Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa.
This is not the first time Corden, known for his 'Late Late Show' and various acting roles, has been the subject of public scrutiny, though typically for reasons unrelated to broadcasting standards. The controversy surrounding Lalas's comment adds an unexpected element to the ongoing World Cup coverage, sparking debate about appropriate language in sports commentary.