Chelsea WSL fans unhappy with BBC after highlights from Arsenal defeat shown

12 March 2023 , 13:49

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Chelsea boss Emma Hayes (Image: Getty Images)

Chelsea fans were shocked to see highlights of their Conti Cup defeat against Arsenal replayed, rather than any live analysis, during the BBC broadcast of their WSL clash with Manchester United.

BBC Two did show the game live, but without any pre-match punditry or half-time and full-time analysis, as the fallout from the Gary Lineker Match of the Day saga continues. The former England striker is in a row with the broadcast company over impartiality.

Names such as Alex Scott, Kelly Somers and Jason Mohammed have all boycotted their usual weekend work in support of Lineker. This meant a lack of BBC presence at Kingsmeadow for the duration of a huge WSL clash.

This meant at half-time rather than produce any analysis of the first half, as is commonplace for live football broadcasts, the BBC choose to show highlights of the Conti Cup final last weekend - a game Chelsea lost 3-1 to fierce rivals Arsenal.

And a number of Blues fans voiced their displeasure at the decision on Twitter.

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One user wrote: "What idiot thought anyone would want to watch highlights of Chelsea getting beat by Arsenal in the Conti Cup final at halftime in the #CHEMAN #WSL game?"

Another posted: "Looks like they're using 'highlights' of the Conti Cup final as the half-time filler. I've put it on mute."

Arsenal beat Chelsea in the Conti Cup final (Getty Images)

The BBC showed the full match highlights and then post-match interviews with Kim Little and Emma Hayes. The broadcast then quickly moved to the players returning to the field for the second half with no commentary or analysis.

There is commentary during the game, provided by Nigel Adderley for the world feed. Chelsea were beaten 3-1 in the cup final, despite taking the lead after two minutes through Sam Kerr. The fallout from the Lineker debacle has impacted the schedule of a number of BBC Sport broadcasts.

Coverage of the Chelsea-United clash was originally set to begin at 12.15 but this was altered only an hour before, with a revised start time of 12.25 - only five minutes before kick-off.

Jack Lacey-Hatton