ROY KEANE and the ITV team were interrupted by “Germany fans doing wheelies” during their Euro 2024 coverage last night.
The team were bringing fans coverage of Germany’s VAR controversy-filled last-16 win over Denmark when they were drowned out by background noise.
Host Mark Pougatch was joined by Keane, Ian Wright and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou.
While ITV’s VAR expert Christina Unkel had also stepped in front of camera to analyse the refereeing performance from the evening.
The quintet were trying to dissect the handball decision that led to Germany‘s opening goal from the penalty spot when loud noises from behind the studio began to cause disruption.
Pougatch was the first to reference the bizarre situation, saying: “I think some of the German fans are doing wheelie’s on the other side of Brandenburg Gate. I think that’s what that noise is.”
ITV‘s studio overlooks the spectacular Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, which also hosts a Euro 2024 fan park directly behind it.
The noise continued behind the broadcast and despite the best efforts of the professional pundits, it was hard to ignore the racket.
Keane got the worst of it as he had to start raising his voice just to be heard over the interruption.
But he still managed to get his point across that VAR had failed to do its job.
Here's how each channel will line-up:
BBC presenters:
Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman
ITV presenters:
Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods
BBC pundits:
Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden
ITV pundits:
Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina Unkel
BBC commentators:
Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan Pearce
ITV commentators:
Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe Speight
BBC co-commentators:
Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFadden
ITV co-commentators:
Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend
He said : “I feel for defenders now. I agree with what has been said – I can’t see that as a penalty, I just can’t.
“Does every defender have to put their hands behind their back? Then you’re losing your balance!”
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Adding: “That’s not the game we grew up loving!”
Fans reacted online to the frustrating background noise.
One wrote: “ITV are fighting a losing battle with the sound of cyclists doing wheelies outside the Brandenburg Gate here!”
While another added: “I bet ITV regret not using false background now!”
And a third joked: “It sounds like someone at ITV has slapped on Vincent Price Sound Effects Vol 4!”
Fortunately the distraction ultimately stopped, allowing ITV to continue with their broadcast.
But it wasn’t the only disruption that happened on the night.
The game itself was brought to a temporary stop due to a thunderstorm at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund.
Referee Michael Oliver was forced to bring the game to a halt in the 36th minute after it was deemed unsafe to continue playing.
Fans could be seen dancing in the rain while they waited for the game to resume.
Some 24 minutes later and proceedings were back underway.
Germany wound up 2-0 winners by the end of the Euros classic and will progress to the quarter-finals – sending Denmark packing.
The hosts will have to wait to discover their opponents in the next round with Julian Nagelsmann‘s side set to face the winner of Spain vs Georgia.
Spain and Georgia go head to head at 8pm tonight in Cologne.
