The Worst Trend in Football Broadcasting Is Killing Big Moments

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Aston Villa won the Europa League on Wednesday, picking up their first trophy in decades. They outclassed Freiburg 0-3 in Istanbul, with manager Unai Emery winning the competition for the fifth time.

As ever, the broadcasters interrupted the players’ celebrations, trying to get instant interviews. It took four attempts before Ezri Konsa could speak. During on aborted conversation, he sprinted away to join the team photo. It is all a bit of a farce.

Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in 20 years a fortnight ago. Amazon Prime Video would have loved showing a British team making the final, especially as it came on the back of that PSG vs Bayern Munich first leg the week before.

The moment was though blemished for goalscorer Bukayo Saka. The England forward had a microphone shoved in his face shortly after full-time, just as the celebrations were getting into full swing. Saka informed the interviewer his enjoyment was being ruined. He was polite, but very clearly tried to get away as soon as possible.

Arsenal won the Premier League on Tuesday. Perhaps the players were happy to have done so not on the pitch. It met they could celebrate privately and not have to fulfil nonsensical media duties.

Aston Villa Europa League Win Blemished by Interviews

Aston Villa’s Europa League win and the Gunner’s progress to the final are far from the only examples of this. Saka’s now teammate, Eberechi Eze, begged the on-field reporter to let him go back to his then Crystal Palace colleagues as they enjoyed their historic FA Cup win last season. Similar has happened as the Lionesses won the Euros.

This all goes on top of new in-game/half-time interviews. Those are, frankly, a disgrace.

Broadcasters pay a lot for rights and access. But they must stop all these interviews.

The players don’t want to do them. Those athletes have worked hard for those moments. Fans don’t want to watch them either. We want to see the players singing Sweet Caroline or dancing to Freed From Desire. We tune in to watch those exact moments.

The interviews broadcasters insist on ruin them. Enough.