Bukayo Saka celebrates, but had to do an interview.
On Tuesday, Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in 20 years. 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 last week. Tuesday’s 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.
This is far from the first time it has happened. 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.
About the Author
