Cry of foul as BBC One drops World Cup opening ceremony

THE BBC is under fire for failing to show the opening ceremony of the World Cup on TV yesterday, instead airing a monologue that was critical of Qatar.

Gary Lineker kicked off the BBC’S coverage of the tournament with an introduction about the much-debated rights of migrant workers, LGBT people and women in the host nation.

Lineker said: “It’s the most controversial World Cup in history and a ball hasn’t even been kicked… from accusations of corruption in the bidding process to the treatment of migrant workers who built the stadiums where many lost their lives. Homosexuality is illegal here. Women’s rights and freedom of expression are in the spotlight.”

Conservative MP Scott Benton was one of many to complain on social media. “Thirty mins into the BBC’S coverage of the World Cup and football hasn’t had a mention,” he tweeted.

Last night, Lineker said it was shown live on BBC iplayer, the BBC Sport website and the red button. “If you wanted to watch it, you could,” he said.

The BBC said it had not broadcast the opening ceremonies for the last few tournaments, including Russia 2018 where the event was shown only on iplayer.