Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry has slammed the BBC over their on-air joke about Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty miss at Euro 2024
John Terry, the former captain of both Chelsea and the England national team, has strongly criticized the BBC for their treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty during the 2024 European Championship. The incident occurred during the semifinal match between Portugal and Slovenia, where Ronaldo’s penalty kick was saved by Jan Oblak in the first half of extra time, leading to an emotional response from the Portuguese star.
Ronaldo was visibly distraught after the miss, breaking down in tears as his teammates gathered around him during the halftime break. Diogo Dalot was seen consoling Ronaldo as they prepared to resume play for the second half of extra time. The emotional moment highlighted the intense pressure and high stakes of the match.
However, the BBC’s coverage of the incident sparked controversy when they labeled their analysis segment “Missiano Penaldo,” a play on words combining “miss” and “penalty” with Ronaldo’s name. This attempt at humor did not sit well with many, including John Terry, who found it deeply disrespectful.
Terry took to social media to express his disapproval, sharing a screenshot of the BBC’s caption on his Instagram account and condemning it as a “disgrace.” His post reflected a broader sentiment among fans and pundits who felt that the broadcaster had crossed a line in their attempt to be clever or humorous at Ronaldo’s expense.
The incident has sparked a wider discussion about the role of media in covering high-stakes sports events and the balance between entertainment and respect for the athletes involved. For someone of Ronaldo’s stature, such a moment is not only a professional setback but also a deeply personal one, making the BBC’s flippant treatment of it particularly controversial.
John Terry’s outspoken defense of Ronaldo underscores the solidarity among professional athletes and the expectation that media outlets should handle such moments with the sensitivity and respect they deserve. The backlash against the BBC’s caption serves as a reminder of the powerful emotions involved in sports and the responsibility of broadcasters to maintain a respectful tone, even when things go awry on the field.
