BBC World Cup feed goes out after France-Australia game

VAR is a rather contentious topic in soccer circles. Some don’t like video review it at all, some like it if it’s used the right way and some like it when it benefits their team. While it was surely a coincidence, the BBC World Cup feed cut out as the panel was discussing how VAR was used during the France-Australia game.

Viewers got a world feed that consisted of random shots of Argentina fans settling in for Argentina-Iceland and then saw a test pattern. After coming back, the feed went out again.

The panel which included Phil Neville and Didier Drogba, cut out as they were discussing VAR. In the game, Antoine Griezmann fell in the box on his way to goal. While play continued, VAR referees were checking the play and it was reviewed at the next stoppage. It was ruled a penalty and the pundits were discussing how VAR was used and whether or not the play was a “clear and obvious” error.

https://twitter.com/TelemundoSports/status/1007947226427973632

While it wasn’t ideal, viewers had a bit of fun particularly at the expense of Phil Neville.

https://twitter.com/acampbell68/status/1007955397100097536

https://twitter.com/Sir_RatedR/status/1007955930892390400

https://twitter.com/_AndyHa/status/1007955278405435397

https://twitter.com/AnfieldRd96/status/1007955171291394049

For the BBC, it’s at least a silver lining that the feed didn’t go out during a game. Viewers were able to joke about this today, they won’t if this happens Monday for England-Tunisia.

[Radio Times/Deadline]