English-speaking soccer commentary features widespread racial bias, according to a study by Danish firm RunRepeat.

The study, performed in coordination with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), analyzed 2,073 statements from English-speaking commentators across the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, and Ligue 1 this season.

It found that players with darker skin tones are “significantly more likely” to be reduced to physical traits such as “pace” and “power.”

Roughly 62% of praise was aimed at players with lighter skin, who were often lauded for their intelligence, hard work, and quality. Meanwhile, 63.33% of commentators’ criticism relating to the intelligence of a player is aimed at those with darker skin.

In addition, a player’s power is 6.59 times more likely to be discussed by commentators if he has darker skin, while his pace is 3.38 times more likely to be talked about.

“To address the real impact of structural racism, we have to acknowledge and address racial bias. This study shows an evident bias in how we describe the attributes of footballers based on their skin color,” PFA equalities executive Jason Lee said.

He added: “Commentators help shape the perception we hold of each player, deepening any racial bias already held by the viewer. It’s important to consider how far-reaching those perceptions can be and how they impact footballers even once they finish their playing career.”

RunRepeat’s study – which spanned six months and analyzed commentary from 80 matches across the aforementioned leagues – was sourced from several broadcasters, including Sky Sports, BT Sport, FreeSports, beIN Sports, NBCSN, ESPN, and TSN, according to Sachin Nakrani of the Guardian.

Among those broadcasters examined, roughly 5% of commentators and co-commentators were from a Black, Asian, or minority ethnic (BAME) background, Nakrani adds.

In response to the study, ITV’s Clive Tyldesley wrote to the PFA to say co-commentators should receive better training before being allowed to work during matches.

“Aside from all the cliches and the hype we’re accused of, we do try, or we should try, to use the language accurately and responsibly,” Tyldesley said. “Racial stereotypes are not just wrong, morally wrong, they are inaccurate and they are irresponsible. They are lazy, thoughtless, and, in my blown-up opinion, far too much sports commentary is lazy and thoughtless.”

Cam Newton’s one-year, incentive-laden contract with the New England Patriots is mostly a no-lose situation in a post-Tom Brady world. So why wouldn’t the Patriots take the plunge?

If Newton is healthy and performs at the high level he did when he was named NFL MVP and led the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50, he could be the Patriots’ starting quarterback and put them back into the conversation as one of the AFC’s elite teams.

If his previously injured foot doesn’t respond well or his performance and fit in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system don’t measure up, there’s limited financial pain for the team in quickly moving on.

So with Newton willing to accept what the Patriots have to offer — a low-cost chance to battle with 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham and 11-year veteran Brian Hoyer to be Brady’s replacement — it adds a stick of dynamite to what was already a compelling situation.

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Former Washington Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel, architect of the famed Hogs in the 1980s, has died, the team announced in a statement. He was 80.

No cause of death was given.

Bugel spent 32 years in the NFL but was largely known for his work in Washington, where he coached the Redskins’ offensive line from 1981 to 1989. He served as offensive coordinator and was an assistant head coach from 1983 to ’89.

Bugel left to serve as head coach of the Phoenix Cardinals from 1990 to 1993. But he returned to Washington in 2004 — when Joe Gibbs returned — and stayed until his retirement after the 2009 season.

The Redskins reached three Super Bowls and won two in the 1980s behind their offensive line. One of their offensive linemen during that stretch, guard Russ Grimm, is in the Hall of Fame, and another, tackle Joe Jacoby, was a finalist three times. Four of Bugel’s offensive linemen made the Pro Bowl a combined 10 times during the ’80s, led by Grimm and Jacoby’s four trips apiece, and the line helped pave the way for four 1,000-yard rushers.

Bugel started calling this group the Hogs in 1982. During a training camp practice, he referred them as “Hogs” when telling them to head to the blocking sled. The name stuck. Gibbs told them, “Once you establish a nickname, you’d better back it up.”

They did. The Hogs did commercials and posters, and their moniker inspired some Redskins fans to dress up as “Hogettes” during games and charity appearances. They became one of the most famous lines in NFL history.

Bugel once said, while coaching the Cardinals, that he would get recognized in airports by people shouting, “Hey, there’s the Hogs coach!”

“Joe had an incredible passion for the game of football,” Gibbs said in a statement. “He came to work every day with such great excitement and his players had tremendous respect for him. The strength of our coaching staff on both sides of the ball was a key reason we had so much success. Bugel was such a big part of that and his impact was felt not only by those Redskins’ teams, but truly across the entire League. I will miss his friendship and I will always cherish our late-night arguments putting together the game plan each week.”

Bugel coached the Cardinals for four years. He then served as the Oakland Raiders’ assistant head coach/offense for two years before becoming head coach for one season in 1997. He coached the San Diego Chargers’ line for four seasons, leaving after the 2001 campaign, and was out of coaching until Gibbs returned in Washington.

“I am absolutely devastated by the news of Joe’s passing,” Redskins owner Dan Snyder said in a statement. “Joe was a larger than life figure and a true legend of his profession. He exemplified what it meant to be a Redskin with his character and ability to connect with his players along with a work ethic that was unmatched.”