Half Time Interviews?

[davieG]

Yes or No?

 

 

https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news/fa-cup-man-city-leyton-orient-fan-reaction-830004-20250208

Fans claim the ‘game is gone’ after seeing what happened during half-time of Leyton Orient vs Man City game
It didn't go down well with fans.
Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Leyton Orient captain Dan Happe took part in a controversial half-time interview during their FA Cup fourth round clash against Manchester City.

Richie Wellens' side, who currently sit seventh in League One, took an unexpected lead at Brisbane Road when Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley spotted Stefan Ortega off his line from 50 yards out.

Donley let fly and Ortega tried his best to backtrack, but the ball hit the crossbar before hitting the goalkeeper and into the net as thousands of Orient fans celebrated a historic FA Cup moment.

To their credit, Wellens' side went on to defend their slender lead against Premier League champions Manchester City, going into the break with a one goal advantage.

And moments after referee Darren Bond blew his whistle for half-time, Orient defender Happe was asked for his thoughts on what happened during the opening 45 minutes in an interview with the BBC.

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the scenes.

 

One said: "Dan Happe getting interviewed at half time on the BBC. Does the manager not want him in the dressing room?" and another wrote: "Half time match interviews isn't football."

A third commented: "Half time interviews with players on the pitch before they’ve even had a chance to get down the tunnel. Get in the bin."

A fourth wrote: "Why do the BBC believe its appropriate to interview the captain of the lower division team even before he's got off the pitch at half time. Try f*****g doing that to the City captain or Guardiola. The disrespect is unbelievable."

A fifth added: "What the f*** is this half-time interview about by @BBCSport leave the f*****g players alone while they're playing. That was ridiculous."

Away from the FA Cup and half-time interviews were proposed by the Premier League earlier this season as part of several planned broadcasting changes.

Back in November, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler gave a half-time interview live on Sky Sports during his side's Premier League clash with Manchester City.

According to the Daily Mail, the Premier League sent a list of three initiatives for its 20 clubs to review earlier this season.

It was claimed that broadcasters would be able to pick from a list of five players or coaches picked by the club, and would ask no more than three 'positive' questions during the course of the short interview.

The report added that plans were in place for the initiative to be brought in from next season onwards, but it appears that those plans have been brought forward or are being implemented on a trial basis.

Thoughts on the idea of a half-time interview during games? Let us know in the comments.

[StanSP]

The game isn't gone because of it. They used to do it back in the 90s?

 

Not a fan, anyway. 

[ealingfox]

[Tuna]

Stupid americanized gimmick

[Stadt]

There’s nothing of value gained by most interviews, least of all a half time one. Unnecessary. 

[Aus Fox]

No one asked for it, no one wants it. More carp that’s adds nothing to the game.

Slowly, one decision at a time made by non footballing people they are killing the game.

Its not gone because of this, but it is another nail in the coffin.

[fox_favourite]

God no

[The Doctor]

as we all know, anything that's changed about football from when you started going as a child is woke nonsense and the game gone, so no.

[fazzyfox]

I remember in a testimonial there were in game interviews with Frank Worthington, he’d go over to the touch line, tell a joke, have a bit of banter then carry on playing, with modern technology we could easily have live in game commentary from the two captains ……I’m joking, hideous idea!

I like the idea of mics on refs though. Friday would have been “we’ve allowed the Utd goal to stand as they are clearly the bigger club with bigger potential tv viewer and sponsorship draw”

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Americanised slop.

[Matt]

I’ve made this point for years. (Not like me to repeat myself I know).

 

Chuck a mic in front of Pep (Or Klopp when he was at Liverpool) at half time. He’d go ballistic.

[peterborofox]

Not a fan. But has happened before. Remember watching season reviews as a kid and Brian Little getting interviewed on his way to the dressing room at HT in one of the Play off finals 

[coolhandfox]

Don't care about the full time let alone these! 

[Nick]

This is just the start. Half time will be 30 minutes soon and they'll be half time entertainment like the Super Bowl... The Premier League want to make more cash out of match days and this is seen as viable option.

[davieG]

4 minutes ago, Nick said:

This is just the start. Half time will be 30 minutes soon and they'll be half time entertainment like the Super Bowl... The Premier League want to make more cash out of match days and this is seen as viable option.

And here’s me still hankering for the 10min half time 

 

That would definitely be the straw that would break me. 

[Mickyblueeyes]

In the early 90s, I’m sure they use to do half time interviews on the Big Match Live on ITV. 
 

It does feel a weird time to interview a manager or a player - nothings decided, and if the emotion/adrenaline can lead to stupid, crazy, weird comments at full time, it will only be amplified at half time.

[Royston.]

Think viewers would 100% prefer referees to be interviewed but do you think the Premier league would have the balls to ever do that

[Corky]

Conor Coady is definitely up for this.

[davieG]

2 hours ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

lead to stupid, crazy, weird comments at full time, it will only be amplified at half time.

That's what they're hoping for but if and when it happens they'll be threatening yellow/red cards for anything controversial - They want it both ways.

[rugbyblue]

3 hours ago, coolhandfox said:

Don't care about the full time let alone these! 

Agree.  Wont listen to the b0llocks.  Jermaine defoe currently on mute waiting for 2nd half .  Goes off the second the final whistle blows.  One game at a time, obviously yeah we can obviously concentrate on the league, er yeah, obviously its a team game, there are positives we can take blah blah and repeat .....yawn

[coolhandfox]

5 minutes ago, rugbyblue said:

Agree.  Wont listen to the b0llocks.  Jermaine defoe currently on mute waiting for 2nd half .  Goes off the second the final whistle blows.  One game at a time, obviously yeah we can obviously concentrate on the league, er yeah, obviously its a team game, there are positives we can take blah blah and repeat .....yawn

It's all soundbites, and rinse and repeat comments.

 

Never anything insightful.

 

 

[Nalis]

8 hours ago, StanSP said:

The game isn't gone because of it. They used to do it back in the 90s?

 

Not a fan, anyway. 

I remember a regular item on ITV champions league nights with Man U were the half time interviews with Fergie

[bovril]

As others have said, there were quite a few American-style gimmicks that were brought in in the early 90s - half time interviews, even half time (or pre game?) entertainment for some early Sky PL games. It was mostly ridiculed and obviously dropped. But I feel the current times are ripe for such innovations and I'm sure elite football games will ever more closely resemble American sport broadcasts in the future. 

[jayfox26]

1 minute ago, bovril said:

As others have said, there were quite a few American-style gimmicks that were brought in in the early 90s - half time interviews, even half time (or pre game?) entertainment for some early Sky PL games. It was mostly ridiculed and obviously dropped. But I feel the current times are ripe for such innovations and I'm sure elite football games will ever more closely resemble American sport broadcasts in the future. 

Yep bet the owners at Wrexham and Birmingham can't wait to bring all that American nonsense into our game. 

[STEVIE B]

99% of interviews are as dull as the questions asked. Waste of time.

I sometimes enjoyed Maddison's when with us. I rarely/never bother at all now, pre-game build up can get in the bin too !