'In my car crying. Hope you're happy' - BBC pundit Tweets after trolls send online abuse

BBC journalist Sonja McLaughlan says she has been left in tears after trolls hounded her on social media in the aftermath of today’s Wales England game in the Principality Stadium.

McLaughlan rightly pushed England captain Owen Farrell hard after the match on the controversial decisions in the game, England’s ill-discipline and alertness to danger and the performance of referee Pascal Gauzere.

Farrell clearly became a little waspish towards the end of the interview, at one stage cutting off McLaughlan mid-question.

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Owen Farrell says "there's no point in talking about" Wales' controversial opening try after England were beaten 40-24 in Cardiff.#sixnations #bbcrugby #WALvENG pic.twitter.com/P1rMTjdsIU

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 27, 2021

It led many arm-chair critics to tear into her on Twitter, with hundreds of unkind messages of abuse levelled at the veteran presenter. Such was the torrent of abuse that it left the presenter weeping in her car after the game.

“Toxic, embarrassing, disgraceful, appalling. Just some of the feedback I’ve had.

“Thanks for using @ sign so it’s all hit home.

“Now imagine getting inundated with abuse for doing your job. In my car crying. Hope you’re happy.”

https://twitter.com/Sonjamclaughlan/status/1365757473462829066

Commentator Nick Mullins defended his friend and colleague: “To everyone who’s made sure my best mate Sonja’s driving home from Cardiff with tears in her eyes tonight: Look back at your Tweet and ask if you’d say that to your mum, wife, girlfriend or daughter. She’s world-class and you need to have a look at yourselves.”

To everyone who’s made sure my best mate Sonja’s driving home from Cardiff with tears in her eyes tonight: Look back at your Tweet and ask if you’d say that to your mum, wife, girlfriend or daughter. She’s world class and you need to have a look at yourselves.

— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) February 27, 2021

“Brilliant interviewing from Sonja Mclaughlan to Owen Farrell. Asked tough fair questions and kept going when he wouldn’t answer! Top work Sonja!” said Andy Goode.

Brilliant interviewing from @Sonjamclaughlan to Owen Farrell. Asked tough fair questions and kept going when he wouldn’t answer! Top work Sonja!

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 27, 2021

Fellow presenter Sarra Elgan Easterby described McLaughlan as a ‘consummate professional’.

“Social media can be exhausting! Why do we have to be so negative about others? Everyone is free to their opinion but trashing & tagging that person in is wrong. Sonja is a consummate professional,” posted Elgan.

Social media can be exhausting! Why do we have to be so negative about others? Everyone is free to their opinion but trashing & tagging that person in is wrong. Sonja is a consummate professional https://t.co/Qx9suTL5hg

— Sarra Elgan Easterby (@Sarraelgan) February 27, 2021

Irish rugby pundit Joe Molly wrote: “Sonja, sorry to hear, you asked exactly the right questions, it would have been bizarre NOT to take your line of questioning. Was spot on. Dunno what people expected? Start that car and enjoy your evening after a job well done.”

Sonja, sorry to hear, you asked exactly the right questions, it would have been bizarre NOT to take your line of questioning. Was spot on. Dunno what people expected? Start that car and enjoy your evening after a job well done.

— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) February 27, 2021

Former Ireland international turned pundit Bernard Jackman posted an appropriate meme, saying: “A tiger doesn’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.”

I thought you were excellent today Sonja and remember ? pic.twitter.com/auRDEJOzeO

— Bernard Jackman (@bernardjackman) February 27, 2021

Former player and Head of Player Affairs at the RPA, Christian Day, posted: “Don’t apologise for doing your job Sonja. Unfortunately social media can be an awful place at times. Leave the trolls under the bridge where they belong and speak with the people who really matter.”

Don’t apologise for doing your job Sonja. Unfortunately social media can be an awful place at times. Leave the trolls under the bridge where they belong and speak with the people who really matter ??

— Christian Day (@christianday) February 27, 2021