BBC News apologises for saying ‘Manchester United are rubbish’ on live TV

The BBC has apologised for saying that ‘Manchester United are rubbish’ on live TV this morning.

BBC News issued the apology after the words were spotted on its rolling news ticker for a few seconds earlier today, Tuesday May 24th.

Viewers watching BBC News spotted the ‘blunder’ – although after last season even United fans would have a hard time arguing with it.

During the morning sports bulletin, the ticker at the bottom of the screen read: “Manchester United are rubbish”.

The sequence was played over a report on the French Open, and also informed viewers that: “Weather rain everywhere” – which sounds about right.

The broadcaster was quick to apologise, with a presenter addressing the moment on-screen to say they hoped they had not ‘offended’ any Manchester United fans.

BBC

She said: “Just while we’re on the subject of football, a little earlier, some of you may have noticed something pretty unusual on the ticker, that runs along the bottom of the screen with news, making a comment about Manchester United.

“I hope that Manchester United fans weren’t offended by it, let me just explain what was happening.”

BBC

She added: “Behind the scenes, someone was training how to use the ticker and how to put text on the ticker. They were just writing random things, not in earnest, that comment appeared.

“So apologies if you saw that and you were offended and you are a fan of Manchester United.

“But certainly, that was a mistake and it wasn’t meant to be on the screen, that was what happened. We just thought we better explain that to you.”