Several Liverpool fans have slammed the BBC after they cut away from the club’s trophy presentation following their Club World Cup Final win over Flamengo.
The Reds beat the Brazilian outfit 1-0, with Roberto Firmino scoring the winner after the two clubs were taken to extra time.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are just the second British side to win the competition, following Manchester United’s success in 2008.
While fans were looking forward to seeing Jordan Henderson lift yet another trophy in the air for the club, the BBC decided to cut away from the award ceremony in favour of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.
In a statement released about the situation, a BBC spokesperson said:
BBC One has a packed and popular Saturday night schedule. Viewers were able to watch the whole of the Liverpool game, including extra time, on BBC One. They were then clearly signposted to BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and the Red Button to watch the trophy ceremony as there was a 20 minute gap planned between the match ending and the ceremony starting.
Reacting on social media, many Liverpool fans aired their frustrations at not being able to see the trophy lift.
Twitter: Liverpool win the World Club Championship and BBC don’t show the cup presentation? Instead we get the Michael McInt… https://t.co/4Ro5yJu7C1 (@silverrich39)
Twitter: Typical BBC not showing Liverpool lifting the trophy, shocking #LFC (@theliverword)
Twitter: Liverpool win one of their biggest trophies and the BBC send the feed to the iPlayer before they lift the trophy… https://t.co/QxNCAJE1A1 (@theplow84)
Twitter: Liverpool win one of their biggest trophies and the BBC send the feed to the iPlayer before they lift the trophy… https://t.co/QxNCAJE1A1 (@theplow84)
Twitter: Don’t believe the BBC stopped coverage of Liverpool lifting the trophy to get on with their usual programming! Have… https://t.co/9wM4ohtU1e (@christi70667083)
Twitter: Disgusted at the BBC didn’t show Liverpool receiving the World Cup trophy (@mickyboy65)
Read Liverpool Verdict
I can’t speak as an Liverpool fan personally, but I can imagine it is frustrating to not be able to see your side’s crowning moment.
As much as some may argue that having won the trophy is enough of a success, that crowning achievement is cherry on top of a great day, and to lose that to a talk show isn’t really acceptable.
It is the reason why the BBC lag behind in sports coverage. That is why people prefer BT Sport, or Sky Sports, when we’re talking about sports coverage. You’d like to think that the BBC would learn from seeing the responses of the fans, but they likely won’t.
