BBC issue apology after Scotland broadcast cuts out during World Cup match | Football | Sport
The BBC were forced to issue an apology after a loss of picture disrupted Scotland‘s historic World Cup opener against Haiti. Midway through the first half, viewers lost coverage of the match, held in Boston, due to a world feed issue, with a test card bearing the message ‘ESF UHD C’ appearing on screens for approximately five seconds.
Although no key incidents were missed, the interruption would have caused considerable anxiety among supporters across Scotland and beyond, as the outage was attributed to a world feed problem. Crucially, it was not only UK viewers whose coverage was affected.
Commentator Liam McLeod told viewers: “Apologies again if there’s a loss of picture, it’s a World Feed problem so everyone suffered it. But you’re back with us now.”
A message displayed at the top of the screen also read: “Sorry for the loss of picture.”
It would have been a nail-biting moment for Tartan Army supporters watching outside the stadium in Massachusetts, having already endured a tense opening spell.
The lively Ben Gannon-Doak saw his effort kept out by Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide, before Scott McTominay rose to meet Andy Robertson’s cross, only to head over.
However, the CONCACAF side proved no easy opponents, with Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor presenting a stern test for the Scotland defence.
Meanwhile, Louicius Deedson posed a persistent threat for captain Andy Robertson to contend with down the left flank. But by the time the disruption occurred during the BBC‘s coverage, Scotland were already ahead courtesy of John McGinn.
The 31-year-old was perfectly positioned to convert after a slick Scottish move. Gannon-Doak and Che Adams linked up, only for the latter to be thwarted by Placide.
The save, however, fell kindly to McGinn, whose strike into the turf deflected home.
Victory for Scotland saw them top Group C following the opening round of fixtures after Brazil were held by Morocco in New York.
It proved a challenging afternoon for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as their vulnerabilities were laid bare by the hungry and energetic AFCON winners.
The record World Cup winners fell behind after just 20 minutes when Brahim Diaz sliced open the defence with an incisive pass for PSV Eindhoven’s Ismael Saibari. Their advantage was short-lived, though, as Vinicius Jr restored parity before the interval.
Brazil dominated possession in the second half but nearly succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker denying Morocco with a crucial double save.
