Presenters of the BBC have had to apologise for showing the wrong footballer when reporting on the Premier League rape case.
The broadcaster said sorry yesterday after reporting on a player who has been accused of sexual offences — but whilst talking in front of a picture of Raheem Sterling.
An image of the 27 year old remained on screen as host Mike Bushell moved on to the unrelated story concerning a different Prem star and not the one who has just signed for Chelsea.
Viewers were left baffled, @Massivetoe writing on Twitter: “Did anyone else just see the BBC News mention a footballer and rape allegations, with a picture of Raheem Sterling, that was suddenly removed and the presenter try to change the subject?! What’s going on?”
Did anyone else just see the BBC News mention a footballer and rape allegations, with a picture of Raheem Sterling, that was suddenly removed and the presenter try to change the subject?! What’s going on? pic.twitter.com/XeU88vOQmK
— Tom – JOIN A UNION! (@Massivetoe) July 14, 2022
Mike Bushell in the BBC studio said: “A Premier League player arrested on suspicion of rape has not been suspended and can fulfil his professional…”
However, in what appeared to be the broadcaster realising their mistake, Bushell quickly cut the news segment short.
He appeared to be stopped by a producer as he told of an unnamed player who had not been suspended, despite being arrested on suspicion of rape.
He added: “We’ll have more on that story a bit later on.
“Was going to say, they can still travel, the player has not been named, still can travel and fulfil the arrangements of the team’s pre-season.”
Directed by a producer through his earpiece, Bushell said of the rape story: “We don’t know the team, we don’t know the player.”
Later that day, the BBC News channel issued an on-air apology following the error.
Apology made: pic.twitter.com/xczuNTw8Ng
— Tom – JOIN A UNION! (@Massivetoe) July 14, 2022
They said: “In our sports bulletin this morning, owing to a technical error the wrong picture appeared in connection with the story of a Premier League player arrested over alleged sexual offences.
“A picture of a different and wholly unconnected player was shown. We apologise for this mistake.”
The accused footballer in his late 20s had been arrested in North London on suspicion of rape before being re-arrested over two more alleged attacks against a different woman.
Whilst the player still can’t be named for legal reasons, it was claimed that his club had known about an allegation of rape against him last season, and continued to allow him to play.
And now it’s come to light that they have no plans on suspending him from playing for them, as he continues to be part of a police investigation.
The 29-year-old denies the allegations and has been bailed until August. See more on this HERE.
Twitter users reacted as the BBC apologise for showing a picture of the wrong footballer when reporting on the Premier League rape case…
@ForeverOUFC: Someone’s getting the sack after that
@Oliverdirtyb: Dreadful. @BBCSport this is disgraceful.
@OddsOnFPL: Jesus Christ, this is terrible.
@mary_penney: All time low BBC.
@briandizzle_: Disgraceful @BBCSport
@Emma12150: They’ve just made a formal apology and made it clear he is not the player in question. However if I was Raheem I’d be bloody fuming. Huge fuck up
@LosoLFC: So BBC News thought it would be appropriate to have Sterling’s picture on screen whilst talking about the PL player accuses and arrested of rape? 😕
@Jamesrr04: The coverage on this subject has been absolutely shocking.
@JaySelenkay: Why always Raheem?! I hope he takes this as far as he possibly can, disgusting humans.
@cfctoni_: It’s always the BBC man
@carefreekieran: It’s a human error but for such a sensitive case this is embarrassing
@cfet13: Raheem Sterling should sue. Absolutely horrendous from the BBC.
@Hazzy2_0: Why are the @bbc like this, what the fuck is wrong with them? Coincidence there’s a pic of sterling in background as he talks about footballer arrested for rape
@jnshenton: Oh dear, BBC reporting on the footballer arrested for rape showing a pic of Raheem Sterling in his Chelsea kit in the background. Confusion all round. Someone’s getting fired, or sued.
@Jed_UTD: Fuck me that’s awful
@Pollardj: BBC had a mare there 🙈🤦♂️
@frannerh84: Disgusting by the BBC!! 🙄 How is the STILL happening?!
This!! Is utterly disgraceful! What kind of mistake is made with something so serious like a alleged crime! Same s%*# different day! We don’t all look the same! This is how so many BLACK MEN are killed.. Because they been mistaken for someone else! https://t.co/hCWioUXtLM
— Judi Love (@1Judilove) July 14, 2022
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