Commentator or Fan?

Are sports broadcasters neutral, unbiased voices to the sporting action?

The European Championships are not far away. It's 100 days to the Olympics, sport's most iconic event. And it had me thinking about commentary and cheerleading. Should commentators stay neutral? Or would you expect a little bit of jingoism thrown into the mix?

When I commentate on the Ryder Cup or Solheim Cup in golf, for example, I wouldn't get more excited for a European win than an American one. I am there to add to the moment. Not add bias. Or cheerlead. Even though, I am broadcasting for UK and Ireland audience on Sky Sports. The same, naturally, if I was broadcasting internationally on the world feed.

I think it's different if Paul McGinley or Laura Davies are alongside me in the commentary box. They are clearly invested in the European cause, given their history in playing the event.

I rank Barry Davies amongst the doyen of commentators. Yet, when GB won Olympic gold in hockey in the late 1908s, he famously commentated on one of GB's goals with; "Where, oh where, were the Germans? Quite frankly, who cares!" People still remind him about that today. It's iconic.

Gary Neville celebrates a United goal in commentary (see photo). It's all part of the persona. To be fair, his obvious joy in a Manchester United goal against Liverpool didn't cross over into his broadcast. He broke it down in a controlled manner. But it's all part of his appeal and his banter with Jamie Carragher. But no one would expect to see Peter Drury acting in a similar vein in the gantry!

These incidents are decades apart. So it would be wrong to call it a modern phenom. But as more and more fan you tubers gain notoriety across social media, I would hate to see that cross over into "professional" broadcasting.

If you want to cheer, be part of the crowd. If you want to be a broadcaster or a journalist, tell us the story, add to the pictures.

What do you think? I genuinley would love to know.