BBC commentator underneath hearth for breaking golden rule in Women’s World Cup match
BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce has been slammed by Women’s World Cup viewers on Twitter after breaking one of many golden guidelines of the job earlier than France kicked off towards Morocco on Tuesday. The skilled broadcaster has commonly lined ladies’s soccer over time and has been working for the BBC over the course of this yr’s match in Australia and New Zealand.
Pearce was on commentary duties as soon as once more to run the rule over France’s last-16 assembly with Morocco, though the 63-year-old got here underneath hearth on social media for a obtrusive mistake throughout the French nationwide anthem. He was heard chatting with a colleague as La Marseillaise rang out across the stadium, asking: “Was I on air then? Can someone tell me was I on air there?”
Various disgruntled viewers took to Twitter to slam Pearce for speaking whereas the anthem was taking part in, with @adammchivers writing: “Someone tell Jonathan Pearce it’s disrespectful to speak over a national anthem.”
@SimplySuvo92 quipped: “Quite a unique rendition of the French national anthem featuring Jonathan Pearce,” whereas @TimWhitbread added: “Talked over a national anthem, commentated on a replay thinking it was live, sounded disappointed when goals went in, Jonathan Pearce is awful.”
Another sarcastic remark was made by @lutraline, who mentioned: “I’ve always felt what the French national anthem was missing was Jonathan Pearce muttering in the background.”
France went on to take a three-goal lead over Morocco earlier than the interval, with Kadidiatou Diani opening the scoring for Les Bleus inside the primary quarter-hour. Kenza Dali doubled her aspect’s benefit simply 5 minutes later earlier than Eugenie Le Sommer discovered the online shortly afterwards to place France in full management.
The early flurry of targets dashed Morocco’s hopes of springing a significant shock on France regardless of plenty of upsets having taken place over the previous few days. The United States have been knocked out by Sweden on Sunday to mark their earliest Women’s World Cup exit in historical past, whereas Germany and Brazil have been eradicated within the group levels regardless of being extensively considered contenders to win your entire match.
England, in the meantime, stay in with a shout of claiming the grand prize after scraping previous Nigeria on penalties on Monday morning. The Lionesses will face Colombia within the quarter-finals this weekend however might be with out star participant Lauren James, who is ready to serve a one-match ban following her purple card for a reckless stamp on Nigeria ahead Michelle Alozie.
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