close
close

EXCLUSIVE Sky Sports to review its use of fan footage after fan caught putting mystery powder in nose

Posted on by angelo

By Mike Keegan

14:06 01 Jul 2024, updated 14:16 01 Jul 2024

Sky Sports is reviewing its use of fan footage and has urged staff to be “more vigilant” after an England supporter was shown on live television appearing to snort a powder.

Mail Sport understands that station bosses sent an email to workers on Monday morning following the incident, in which the bearded man carried out the act as hundreds of fans in Newcastle’s Times Square celebrated Jude Bellingham’s stunning overhead kick in injury time against Slovakia.

They have been informed that the company’s policy will now be re-evaluated and a stricter approach will be taken in future when filming live crowd scenes.

As the camera panned around the cheerful crowd last night, the man, dressed in black, appeared to brandish a spoon covered in white powder, before pressing the side of his nose and inhaling.

He then appeared to put the spoon in his mouth before bouncing up and clapping his hands as delighted fans sang England’s anthem Sweet Caroline.

An England fan at a fan event in Newcastle was filmed live on television putting a mysterious powder up his nose and mouth

The clip was posted on social media and viewed hundreds of thousands of times.

One source, who did not wish to be named, believes officials could try to pre-empt any investigation by watchdog Ofcom and show they are taking the matter seriously.

If complaints were to be made, it would appear that there would be sympathy for Sky Sports, given that they were filming a live event and could not reasonably be held responsible for the man’s actions.

The footage was shown before the turn on Sky Sports News at 6.57pm as live footage was broadcast from various fan zones across the UK, with former Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce discussing Bellingham’s dramatic equalizer.

As the ecstatic crowd danced and began a rendition of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, the fan (surrounded), dressed in black, appeared to be sniffing a mysterious substance
The Three Lions supporter appeared to be holding something else in his other hand, into which he was dipping his spoon.

Production teams have been asked to be more vigilant when using fan images in the future.

Mail Sport has contacted Northumbria Police for comment. England looked set to suffer a very embarrassing Euro elimination in Gelsenkirchen, after falling 1-0 behind Slovakia.

But in the 95th minute, Bellingham’s heroics sent the round of 16 match into extra time, where Harry Kane headed home the winner to set up a quarter-final against Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday.