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She was relentlessly trolled back in 2018 for her pronunciation of the names of foreign players during SBS’ World Cup coverage.
And while she’s proven to be resilient in the face of adversity, Lucy Zelić has now decided to leave the network.
Posting to her Instagram on Friday, Lucy, 34, announced her decision to leave the the workplace she’s called ‘home.’
End of an era: SBS sports reporter Lucy Zelić announces her departure from the network
‘It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I announce my time at SBS has come to an end,’ she began her statement.
Although she has not yet confirmed what’s next on the cards for her professionally, Lucy did mention that after almost eight years on-air ‘the time has come to welcome new opportunities’.
The seasoned sports reporter and announcer went on to share a list of her achievements – covering both the women’s and men’s World Cups, the Champions League, Premier League and A-League.
She also paid tribute to her late colleague Les Murray, and gave a shout-out to co-host Craig Foster.
Heavy heart: Posting to her Instagram on Friday, Lucy, 34, announced her decision to leave the the workplace she’s called ‘home’
A privilege: She also paid tribute to her late colleague Les Murray, and gave a shout-out to co-host Craig Foster
‘It has been an extraordinary privilege that I have never taken for granted, as was working alongside legendary icons like Les Murray and Craig Foster,’ she said.
The brunette co-hosted the Australian World Cup broadcast alongside SBS Chief Football Analyst Craig Foster in 2018.
Lucy was abused by online trolls for her tendency to enunciate players’ names in the brogue of their native country, with critics accusing her of adopting a ‘fake accent’.
It has become a quasi tradition in the SBS studio to pronounce names the way they would be said in the player’s home country after the late football icon Les Murray made a point of it.
While Les was celebrated, Lucy was ruthlessly abused by fans who mocked her accent online.
‘Fake accent’: The brunette co-hosted the Australian World Cup broadcast alongside SBS Chief Football Analyst Craig Foster in 2018. Lucy was abused by online trolls for her tendency to enunciate players’ names in the brogue of their native country, with critics accusing her of adopting a ‘fake accent’
Lucy, whose brother is also the former Socceroo defender Ned Zelic, also received accusations of nepotism for receiving her role at SBS.
In July 2018, Lucy was once again made headlines when she was trolled online after she cried on-air before and after the France and Croatia final.
The stunner – who is of Croatian heritage – was criticised by viewers for being too emotional during the coverage of the game.
And again: In July 2018, Lucy was once again made headlines when she was trolled online after she cried on-air before and after the France and Croatia final
In lead up to the match, she shed tears while reading a quote from the Croatian coach, saying: ‘If there was a stadium big enough for 4.5 million people it would be full.’
‘I’m sorry, this is the line (from Rakitic) that got me,’ she said as she wiped away tears.
‘I’m sorry, apologies, but it’s a really big deal for the Croatians,’ she said.
Following the game, Lucy became tearful again as she and co-host Craig congratulated each other for their coverage of the World Cup.
She was overcome with emotion when Foster told her how impressed he was with her presenting skills, and gifted her a bouquet of flowers.
In 2019, Lucy welcomed daughter Mila with partner and footballer Corey Gameiro.
Prior to welcoming her daughter, she told The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘It feels like the stars have aligned, to use that very dated term, and I’ve gotten everything I’ve always longed for.’
Family life: In 2019, Lucy welcomed daughter Mila with partner and footballer Corey Gameiro
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