Grade apologises for 'shambles' after ITV went to ad break and missed winning goal

Published on Thursday 5 February 2009 23:14

THE Football Association has demanded an explanation from ITV over the blunder that prevented some fans from watching the winning goal in Wednesday night's Merseyside derby.

After 118 minutes of tense, goalless football in the FA Cup fourth-round replay at Goodison Park between Everton and Liverpool, the live match coverage was interrupted by adverts moments before Dan Gosling's extra-time decider.

Some just managed to catch the goal after a number of ITV regions and digital channels returned to the game seconds before the teenager's strike.

But for others the adverts continued and the first fans knew of the goal was the Everton team's celebrations. ITV boss Michael Grade apologised for what he described as a "shambles" and said those responsible could face "yellow and red cards".

The FA asked for the reasons behind the mishap to be explained by the broadcaster.

An FA spokesman said on www.thefa.com: "It is obviously very disappointing that viewers and fans did not see the only goal of last night's FA Cup replay between Everton and Liverpool.

"Clearly we are seeking a full explanation from ITV as to why this happened. It is important that lessons are learned and that this does not happen again."

It is understood an automated system for broadcasting adverts, which should only be used on "regular schedule" nights, kicked in as the game continued in extra time. The system is not designed for live events such as football games, which can over-run and delay the schedule. Match presenter Steve Rider said: "If you missed the goal we apologise. It was because of technical problems we had at that time."

ITV said the problem occurred at the transmission centre and was not the responsibility of the ITV Sport production team. Executive chairman Mr Grade said: "Most importantly, I'd like to apologise to all our viewers who were affected by last night's unprecedented technical error. As a football fan myself, I was glued to the match and was as disappointed as anyone to miss the goal.

"We have years of experience in dealing with the changes in ad-break patterns when games go into extra time and sometimes penalties – this we have done faultlessly through the Champions League, World Cup and European Championships. Last night's glitch was inexcusable and we are awaiting the results of our technical inquiry so we can put in place stringent and immediate procedures to address this."

Later interviewed on the ITN Lunchtime News, Mr Grade – a big Charlton Athletic fan – said: "We're still trying to figure out how it happened and there may be a few yellow and red cards following this."

Earlier this season ITV was forced to apologise after broadcasting a naked player in the aftermath of non-league Histon's FA cup victory over Leeds United. The celebrating player was seen cavorting in the dressing room after the match. Earlier pitch-side microphones relayed foul-mouthed insults and chants from some Leeds fans.

BACKGROUND

WHILE ITV viewers watched ads for Tic Tac mints and Volkswagen cars, 19-year-old Dan Gosling was scoring a dramatic 118th-minute goal on Wednesday night to put Everton into the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

By the time the network switched back to the game, Everton's players were celebrating. "If you missed the goal we apologise," said presenter Steve Rider. "It was because of technical problems."