Fans blast 'disrespectful' BBC and ITV coverage of World Cup closing ceremony

20 August 2023 , 11:59

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Tones and I perform at the opening ceremony of the Women's World Cup Final 2023 (Image: Morgan Hancock/REX/Shutterstock)

Fuming football fans have labelled the BBC and ITV's coverage of the Women's World Cup closing ceremony as "disrespectful".

Ahead of the final between England and Spain on Sunday morning, fans had tuned in to the TV coverage hoping to watch the tournament's spectacular closing ceremony at Stadium Australia in Sydney. However, both BBC and ITV were criticised for not showing the ceremony in full.

BBC pundits were talking over the action while ITV failed to show the spectacle, fans claimed on social media. Those who watched the ceremony would have been amazed by fireworks, live music, dancing, light shows and a didgeridoo performer.

Popular Australian singer Tones and I also performed before the World Cup final and was surrounded by dozens of dancers on the centre circle. Fans took to social media platform X to blast coverage of the ceremony. One said: "Any chance you can shut up and not talk over this closing ceremony. Be respectful FFS #BBC #WorldCup2023."

Artists perform during the World Cup closing ceremony (Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock)

Another said: "Who else wants to see the World Cup closing ceremony instead of the same old prattling we all seen and heard before. BBC you should be ashamed." A third added: "BBC once again butchering coverage of the closing ceremony. Why can’t they stop yapping for 10 minutes and watch something that’s taken months to coordinate on behalf of the host nation?"

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A fourth said: "BBC talking over the closing ceremony. ITV not even showing it. Bit disrespectful."

Some were told to head to BBC iPlayer if they wanted to watch the ceremony uninterrupted. One fan said: "Very disappointing that the closing ceremony for the #womensWorldCup2023 is not being shown by either @bbc or @itv You are directed to @BBCiPlayer but can't even find it Very disrespectful to the host nation! Please cut out the jibba jabba and show the closing ceremony."

After the ceremony, both sets of players took to the pitch to belt out their national anthems. Those who did manage to watch the closing ceremony did praise what they saw. "Incredible closing ceremony. Now time for the WORLD CUP FINAL," one fan said.

Another added: "Loved the closing ceremony of the FIFA womens world cup. Esp the first nations section and then the womens footballers. Both Australia and New Zealand have such magnificence hosting events - and this tournament has been amazing."

Sam Truelove