Sky Sports News blunder as programme cut off moments after cup draw | Football | Sport

Sky Sports News have sent viewers into a frenzy after a broadcasting hiccup led to the coverage being cut moments before a major cup draw. The draw can be a big moment for fans, finally revealing the chances of making a cup run or potentially lining up a big away day.

But for fans who had tuned in for the round of 16 draw for the Vertu Trophy on Thursday afternoon, they were in for a surprise. Hosting the draw of the cup tournament for League One, Two and Premier League under-21s sides, on Sky Sports News, presenter Will Perry was joined by former players Luke Chambers and Jobi McAnuff as 16 clubs’ fates were found out. But just moments after the draw was announced, with a usual spot set aside for analysis and reaction, their broadcast abruptly disappeared.

With viewers confused as to what was happening, the channel quickly reverted to the main studio, swiftly moving on to breaking news that Jude Bellingham was unlikely to start for England.

After a quick debate and as chat shifted onto gold, the Broadcast completely cut out, with a message appearing on viewers’ TVs reading: “We’re really sorry for this temporary fault.”

While the main camera was cut out, the regular Sky News template and rolling yellow bulletins still carried on.

The outage would continue for a few more minutes before their coverage moved onto adverts, and after around five minutes, returned to usual with no mention of the previous blackout.

Resuming like nothing had happened, host Matt Kabir Floyd said: “But no doubt what the headline news is, and that is that Jude Bellingham, we think, will not be in the XI (for England’s game against Serbia).

“Is this a sign of how Tuchel wants to go at the World Cup? It certainly feels like a real shot across the bows of Jude Bellingham.

“He’s back, he’s fit, he’s firing now. He’s doing well with Real Madrid, but that’s not been enough for Tuchel to bring him into the XI.

“Tuchel, we heard from him yesterday and he told us that he doesn’t think Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane can all start in the same England XI at the moment, given the structure they’re playing.

“He also said now is not the time to change the structure either. That was very, very interesting, wasn’t it? And it suggests that Jude Bellingham will have a big job on his hands to get back into the XI.”