Rio Ferdinand is under fire for his emotionally charged commentary during Manchester United’s thrilling 5-4 comeback win over Lyon in the Europa League. The former United star, who was co-commentating for TNT Sports, struggled to hide his emotions as the Red Devils staged a dramatic turnaround after being 4-2 down in extra-time.
His wild celebrations during the match angered some viewers, as football commentators are expected to remain neutral.
The backlash has been swift, with many fans criticizing Ferdinand for his apparent bias towards his former club. Some have even called for TNT Sports to take action and sack him. One Liverpool supporter tweeted,
“TNT Sports should sack Rio Ferdinand ASAP. He’s so blatantly biased towards Man United, absolute disgrace.” Other fans echoed similar sentiments, with comments like, “It’s as if they think everyone watching is a United fan.”
Despite the criticism, it’s clear that Ferdinand’s passion stems from his deep connection to Manchester United, where he spent 12 years as a player, winning numerous titles. However, many argue that his commentary often lacks objectivity.
In addition to his controversial commentary, Ferdinand’s punditry has been criticized for being basic and lacking substance, especially when compared to other analysts like Ally McCoist. Some argue that while Ferdinand’s celebration of United’s comeback was understandable given his history with the club, it crossed the line for some viewers.
Ferdinand’s future at TNT Sports could also be in question, as reports suggest he may leave the broadcaster at the end of the season. With his popular YouTube channel, “Rio Ferdinand Presents,” and podcast gaining significant traction, Ferdinand could potentially shift his focus to his fan-centric media ventures.