“It’s plain wrong!”: -BBC World Cup host loses it live on air as viewers left raging
The pundit hit out at during the heated clash between England and Argentina.
BBC World Cup host loses it live on air as viewers left raging – ‘It’s plain wrong!’ (Image: Getty)
The BBC sports commentator slammed FIFA World Cup official rules just minutes into the tense clash between England and Argentina. BBC TV’s commentary is led by familiar voices from Match of the Day, including Guy Mowbray, who is joined by Alan Shearer.
But it was Jonathan Pearce who took issue during the World Cup semi-final as the players were called off the pitch for a hydration break just minutes into the match. This summer’s World Cup features a host of new initiatives which have been introduced. But the mandatory pausing of play in each half for a hydration break has continued to cause upset for commentators and the fans.
John fumed: “We don’t need it. It’s totally uncessary in this staduim – 22 degrees Celsius. We’ve said it during the course of the World Cup. We’re in the midst here of a World Cup semi-final. It’s going toe-toe.
And now we’ve got this performative, ridiculous hydration breaks so they can show adverts on American television.”
The players took a hydration break during the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final (Image: Getty)
His co-host Paul Robinson interjected: “That’s one thing you’ve not enjoyed about this World Cup? Adverts and breaks.”
John replied: “It’s simply not right. I think anyone who values what football is about. It’s not natural. It’s not what it’s supposed to be. It’s just plain wrong.”
Meanwhile, viewers were left raging before the match even began.
England saw their national anthem go first, which received a negative reception from the Argentine contingent in Atlanta Stadium, sparking a furious reaction from social media users. One user commented: “This (sic) Argentina fans are disgusting singing out loud and booing the England national anthem. Zero respect.”
The heated match had fans at the edge of their seats (Image: Getty)
A second fumed: “Absolutely disgusting, Argentina fans with no respect for the national anthem. England please thrash them.”
A third argued: “Argentina have the most disgusting fans on the planet.”
In the lead up to the game, footage was widely shared on social media of supporters in the outskirts of Argentina capital Buenos Aires, setting alight a Union Jack flag.
