BBC commentator fumes ‘it’s unacceptable’ as World Cup game halted | Football | Sport
The Netherlands’ World Cup clash against Tunisia was brought to a halt at the beginning of the second half due to a lack of players on the pitch. Ronald Koeman’s side, who held a commanding 2-0 lead going into the half-time interval, had already returned to the field, with Tunisia’s players following shortly after.
However, as the countdown began, it swiftly became apparent that Herve Renard’s side were a player short, with only 10 present. Tunisia’s players frantically signalled to referee Katia Garcia that they were still awaiting the arrival of Ellyes Skhiri after the second half kicked off before immediately being stopped.
Skhiri eventually emerged onto the pitch after a near two-minute delay, but the countdown to kick-off had already elapsed by that point.
Netherlands manager Koeman was visibly incensed on the touchline, making his displeasure abundantly clear to the fourth official, Juan Gabriel Benítez, and the Tunisia bench.
BBC commentator Steve Wilson said: “We have to pause, Tunisia are a man light, so the countdown was a bit early. And the Tunisia player at the back was desperately trying to draw the referee’s attention to the fact they only had 10 players out there.
“In fact, they still only have 10 players out there, they are one short.”
Stephen Warnock, serving as co-commentator, responded: “How?!” Wilson then replied: “I don’t know.”
Before former Liverpool defender Warnock fumed: “It’s incredible. You know that the clock is going down and you’ve got to be out quicker. Ronald Koeman is furious and rightly so, he’s saying, ‘How is this happening? It’s unacceptable’.”
Wilson then said ahead of the game getting back underway: “They only have 10 players out there. Here he is, Skhiri. Better late than never.”
The Netherlands took the lead when Skhiri turned the ball into his own net before Brina Brobbey doubled his side’s advantage with just seven minutes on the clock.
Hazem Mastouri pulled one back for Renard’s side nine minutes into the second half, but Jan Paul van Hecke restored the Dutch’s two-goal cushion eight minutes later.
Elsewhere, Japan went on to be held to a 1-1 draw with Sweden, which means that the Netherlands have finished top of Group F and confirmed their round of 32 match with Morocco on Tuesday.
