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Jacqui is a dame of two halves
Apr 19 2007 By Jasbir Authi, Birminghgam Mail
MATCH of the Day has blown the whistle on its boys only pundit club by recruiting its first ever woman commentator.
Life-long Wolves fan Jacqui Oatley, aged 32, will take her place alongside Gary Lineker for the Fulham and Blackburn clash this Saturday.
This is first time the iconic show has fronted up a woman in its 43-year history but Jacqui, from Codsall, in Staffordshire, insists she is no trailblazer.
The Five Live sport reporter said: "I'm not breaking any barriers for women. I do it for the same reason as any bloke. I love my football."
However, the decision was lambasted by some as political correctness gone mad.
Former Sheffield United and Wimbledon manager Dave Bassett said: "Football is so politically correct these days.
"I'm totally against it. The problem is everybody is too scared to admit it."
But her BBC bosses insisted Jacqui was chosen on ability and talent.
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