Football

Scotland fans blast ‘awful’ coverage of Poland clash as broadcast ends abruptly

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2 weeks ago

September 5, 2024

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Scotland fans blast ‘awful’ coverage of Poland clash as broadcast ends abruptly

SCOTLAND fans were saved from a TV blackout by ITV for the national team’s Nations League double-header this week.

But if their coverage of tonight’s clash against Poland is anything to go by (not to mention the result), the Tartan Army might turn off the telly on Sunday when Steve Clarke‘s men travel to Lisbon to face Portugal.

Nicola Zalewski of Poland celebrates after scoring his team’s winning goalCredit: Getty

Grant Hanley conceded the costly penalty that led to Zalewski's winner — Grant Hanley conceded the costly penalty that led to Zalewski’s winnerCredit: Getty

Scotland lost 3-2 to the Poles at Hampden, having recovered from two goals down only for a ludicrous last-gasp lunge from Grant Hanley to end with a penalty converted by Nicola Zalewski.

Sebastian Szymanski opened the scoring after eight minutes and then just before half-time, after the hosts had dominated much of the play, Anthony Ralston gave away a clumsy foul inside the box and superstar Robert Lewandowski duly punished the Scots from the spot.

Billy Gilmour scored his first competitive goal almost immediately after the restart and after the introduction of Ben Doak and Ryan Gauld for their Scotland debut, the men in dark blue began upped the ante and Scott McTominay tucked home an equaliser in the 76th minute.

But in the sixth of eight additional minutes of stoppage time, Hanley dived in on Zalewski when he had absolutely no need to do so, with the sub heading away from goal, tripping him up and leading to the game-winning penalty.

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Not long after that incident came the final whistle and fans hoping for a proper analytical breakdown of the game were also left wanting, as ITV4 wrapped up their broadcast within minutes of full-time.

ITV only secured the rights to the match and the following game with Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Portugal yesterday, after a brief battle for the coverage with the BBC.

But they deployed a rather threadbare approach to their coverage, with the commentary team of Sam Matterface and Neil McCann not in vision and NO studio guests to preview or review the game.

The lack of a visible presence didn’t go unnoticed by supporters watching the game on screens at home.

“I know it was put together last minute but this coverage of the Scotland game is awful,” said one fan.

Another punter said: “The Scotland game coverage on ITV4 is f****** crap.”

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While this fan said sarcastically: “I see that ITV pulled out all the stops with their coverage of the Scotland game tonight.”

Another viewer reckoned ITV simply shouldn’t have bothered purchasing the rights, saying: “Anyway, thanks a lot to ITV4 for buying the rights to that, we could have all been spared otherwise.”

Commentator Matterface was also criticised by one fan who said: “The English commentator on ITV4 for the Scotland game is embarrassing, he’s so anti Scottish it’s unreal.”