The BBC suffered a brief technical glitch during their broadcast of England’s World Cup clash with the DR Congo on Wednesday evening, with viewers fuming on social media
The BBC suffered a brief technical glitch(Image: Getty Images)
The BBC suffered a brief but unexpected technical glitch on Wednesday evening which interrupted their World Cup coverage of England vs the DR Congo. After a normal first-half, in which the Three Lions went 1-0 down thanks to Brian Cipenga’s seventh minute strike, the broadcaster resumed their presentation of the fixture.
But just moments into the second period of play, as England went on to make a dangerous attack on Lionel Mpasi’s goal, coverage of the match dropped out for a couple of seconds, viewers left with a black screen in anticipation. When the coverage resumed, the score remained at 1-0 in the DRC’s favour, but fans were fuming at the momentary interruption.
Taking to social media, one joked: “I’d turn it off as well @BBC,” while a second asked: “BBC what was that????” A third said: “Did everyone miss that England chance on BBC or was my TV just bugging,” and a fourth wrote: “And the feeds gone nice one BBC.”
A fifth jested: “Probably for the best BBC has cut out,” while a sixth said: “Hello bbc??” A seventh wondered: “Imagine BBC missed a goal there lmao,” while an eighth went on: “Didn’t even see that chance cheers BBC,” with a sarcastic thumbs up emoji.
It capped off a first-half jam packed with controversy, as not only did England slip a goal down but were also denied what appeared to be a clear penalty to potentially claw their way back into the match.
Harry Kane found himself bursting into Mpasi’s box late into the half, rounding the Congolese shot stopper before he was seemingly brought down.
Despite appeals from Thomas Tuchel and the Three Lions, referee Adham Makhadmeh opted to give a free-kick in DR Congo’s favour, accusing Kane of diving to the turf as he was spotted gesturing with his hand.
VAR were also quick to commence a check over the process, only to side with the official’s decision. However, Alan Shearer was less than convinced, as he gave BBC viewers his view.
He said: “There’s contact, there’s no doubt. That for me is a penalty. Harry might make the most of it but the keeper has come out and his hands are there.
“If he’s going to come rushing out like that and leave his arms there, as a forward you’ve got every right to make connection with those hands and go down. I thought that was a penalty.
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“Mpasi’s made his mind up, you can’t go back, he has to connect and has to go down and dive. All the forward has to do is get that first touch and he’s got it Harry Kane.
“Then you’ve got every right to go into the goalkeeper if he’s daft enough to come rushing out like that.. That for me should have been a penalty. I do think DR Congo have got away with one.”
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