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    From the Crazy Gang to Gazza’s tears, the seven most iconic moments of John Motson’s career as BBC legend passes away

    FOOTBALL has lost its most iconic voice after John Motson passed away, aged 77.Fans across the country are mourning the legendary BBC commentator, who hung up his mic – and famous sheepskin coat – five years ago.
    BBC commentary legend John Motson has passed away, aged 77Credit: PA:Press Association
    During his distinguished 48-year career, Motty covered ten World Cups, ten European Championships, 29 FA Cup finals and more than 200 England games.
    But there are some moments that stand out more than others and will NEVER be forgotten.
    Here are SunSport’s favourite memories from the ‘Voice of Football’…
    You can’t fault his appetite for the game
    The famous sheepskin John Motson wore at Adams Park became synonymous with the BBC legend
    It was an image that became synonymous with Motty.
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    And was always a running joke when the weather mimicked arctic conditions.
    In December 1980, Motty reported live from Adams Park before Wycombe Wanderers entertained Peterborough United.
    Battling the elements, he delivered his message with aplomb and the sheepskin became a regular fixture.
    His commentating was something quite poetic
    John Motson delivered the famous line, “The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club” when Wimbledon beat LiverpoolCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Motty tapped into popular culture too.
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    One of the biggest Cup Final shocks of all time came when Wimbledon beat Liverpool 1-0 thanks to a Lawrie Sanchez goal in 1988.
    Cue scenes of hysteria and disbelief at the final whistle and a distraught looking Kenny Dalglish as The Reds missed out on doing the double.
    “The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club,” he delivered when the ref called time.
    And it is a line that has gone down in history.
    And he loved it when England did well
    The favourite game John Motson ever commentated on was England’s 5-1 drubbing of GermanyCredit: PA:Press Association
    When Michael Owen scored his third goal, John Motson was particularly vocalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Motty confessed that his favourite match he ever commentated on was England’s 5-1 drubbing of Germany in Munich.
    You could really tell too, because he took so much delight in Michael Owen grabbing a hat-trick at the Olympiastadion during the 2002 World Cup qualifiers.
    He bellowed: “Ohhh, this is getting better and better and better. One, two, three for Michael Owen!”
    But arguably his most famous commentary line came when he first started out
    Ronnie Radford’s goal for Hereford United defined John Motson’s careerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    It was the goal that changed Motty’s life, he admitted.
    Effectively, he was on trial at the BBC and he confessed that he “hadn’t pulled up too many trees at that point.”
    “What a goal, what a goal,” Motson screamed as Ronnie Radford hit a screamer for Hereford United in their famous FA Cup shock against Newcastle.
    “Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford.” Motty then became a permanent voice.
    Don’t mention Brian Clough though
    John Motson loved interviewing Brian Clough
    Brian Clough was prickly with John Motson in a awkward interview in 1979
    In 1979, the legendary Nottingham Forest manager gave Motty a particularly prickly interview.
    Cloughy wasn’t happy about the BBC over-analysing the beautiful game, so he let rip on the journalist.
    “I think what you do to referees is nothing short of criminal,” Cloughy told him in no uncertain terms.
    Despite that, Clough and Motty always had fun jousting over the years and Motty always said he was his favourite manager to interview.
    Gazza’s tears at Italia 90
    Paul Gascoigne’s tears were best described by John Motson during England’s semi final game against Germany at Italia 90Credit: Getty – Contributor
    TURIN – JULY 4: Paul Gascoigne of England bursts into tears after losing the FIFA World Cup Finals 1990 Semi-Final match between West Germany and England played at the Stadio Delle Alpi, in Turin, Italy on July 4, 1990. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra-time, with West Germany winning 4-3 in the […]Credit: Getty – Contributor
    When Paul Gascoigne launched into a mistimed tackle and earned a booking that would rule him out of a possible World Cup Final appearance, we were shot to pieces.
    Gazza soon got emotional on the pitch, and his Spurs colleague Gary Lineker gestured to manager Bryan Robson to keep an eye on him.
    “Oh dear. Oh dear me,” Motty reasoned with the nation. “He’s going to be out of the final, if England get there.”
    “Here is a moment that almost brings tears to his eyes.”
    Finally, he wasn’t afraid to call it how it was
    John Motson was scathing of Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup FinalCredit: AFP
    John Motson will be sorely missedCredit: Getty – Contributor
    When Zinedine Zidane got sent off against Italy at the 2006 World Cup the world was stunned by what they’d seen.
    The world’s greatest player threw a headbutt towards Italian defender Marco Materazzi who collapsed to the ground.
    “And the referee has gone across now with his hand in his pocket,” Motty told us as we awaited the official’s decision.
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    “He’s been told about it. He’s off, it’s red, it’s Zidane! You can’t excuse that, Zidane’s career ends in disgrace!”
    Motty, you’ll be missed. More

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    John Motson dead: BBC commentator legend dies aged 77 as stars pay tribute to ‘voice of football’

    LEGENDARY football commentator John Motson has died aged 77 leaving the world of sport in mourning.The BBC pundit celebrated 50 years in the job in 2018 before hanging up his mic in May that year.
    John Motson has passed awayCredit: Rex
    Motson, who was affectionately known as Motty, later came out of retirement to join talkSPORT.
    The commentator was famed for his signature sheepskin coat as he became the voice of football for countless generations.
    During his career, he covered ten World Cups, ten European Championships, 29 FA Cup finals and more than 200 England games.
    A statement from his family said: “It is with great sadness we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today (Thursday).”
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    Tributes have flooded in for the legend from the world of football.
    Gary Lineker wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear that John Motson has died.
    “A quite brilliant commentator and the voice of football in this country for generations. He’ll be very much missed. RIP Motty.”
    Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler said: “John was the standard-setter for us all.
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    “We basically all looked up to him – his diligence, his dedication, his knowledge. He was a very serious broadcaster but he was a real fun guy to be around.”
    Fellow commentator Clive Tyldesley wrote on Twitter: “As a teenager I just wanted to be John Motson. Nobody else.”
    Jamie Carragher said: “RIP John Motson. An absolute Legend of the game. So many of us grew up listening to this man describe the action & goals on MOTD & cup finals. Sad loss.”
    While former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell wrote: “Rest in Peace John “Motty” Motson an absolute legend and gentleman.”
    In 2014, Motson was diagnosed with bowel cancer and forced to miss the World Cup in Brazil.
    Speaking at the time, he said: “I consider myself very lucky I was diagnosed so early that the cancer was dealt with and the positiveness came about because I wanted to get back into my normal life.
    “That drive and determination was probably the most positive thing I could’ve had.”
    Motson was born in Salford and began his journalistic career in Barnet – the team he supports on the Barnet Press.
    He worked as a reporter between 1963 and 1967 before being hired for BBC Radio 2.
    His first radio commentary was an Everton v Derby clash in December 1969.
    Three years later, Motson became a household name thanks to his work on Match of the Day.
    His breakthrough came during Hereford’s shock 2-1 win against Newcastle in the 1972 FA Cup replay.
    Motson was only meant to cover the match for a five-minute segment but Ronnie Radford’s famous 30-yard strike meant the clash was promoted to the main game.
    He famously remarked on the game: “Oh what a goal! Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford! And the crowd are on the pitch. What a tremendous shot by Ronnie Radford.”
    It helped propel his career even further – with Motson going on to voice major FA Cup, European Championships and World Cup finals.
    He commentated on almost 2,500 televised games in total including a record-breaking sixth World Cup final in Berlin in 2006 and his 29th FA Cup final in 2008.
    Motson was famed for his often poetic commentary and encyclopaedic football knowledge during his illustrious career.
    His quip at Wimbledon scuppering Liverpool’s chances of the double in 1988 became notorious.
    The legend said: “The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club.”
    Motson bowed out after 50 years on the final day of the 2017/18 season and was invited on to the pitch.
    Then-Crystal Palace manager Roy presented him with a framed copy of the programme from his first and last matches at Selhurst Park and a crystal microphone.
    He won a Bafta that year for his work and received an OBE in 2001 for services to sports broadcasting.
    Motson lived in Hertfordshire with his wife Anne, who he married in 1977.
    BBC director-general Tim Davie described Motson as “the voice of a footballing generation”, steering fans “through the twists and turns of FA Cup runs, the highs and lows of World Cups and, of course, Saturday nights on Match of the Day”.
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    He added: “Like all the greats behind the mic, John had the right words, at the right time, for all the big moments.
    “He will rightly be remembered as a legendary figure in British sports broadcasting, respected by those in the game, loved by fans and an inspiration to those who followed him in the commentary box.”
    A final photo of Motson shows him attending a match at Sutton United on February 4Credit: Facebook
    Motson began his career in the 1960sCredit: Getty
    He became known as the voice of footballCredit: Getty
    Motson won a Bafta for his commentating in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
    He retired that year after commentating on the final game of the seasonCredit: Stuart Roy Clarke
    Motson was given a standing ovation at his last game in 2018Credit: Rex
    The pundit covered almost 2,500 televised gamesCredit: PA:Press Association
    Motson was given an OBE for services to sports broadcasting in 2001Credit: PA:Press Association
    During his career, he covered ten World Cups, ten European Championships, 29 FA Cup finals and more than 200 England gamesCredit: PA:Press Association More

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    Footie fans spot BBC blunder after Arsenal’s dramatic 4-2 win over Aston Villa

    EAGLE-eyed footie fans spotted a BBC blunder after Arsenal’s dramatic 4-2 win over Aston Villa today.The broadcaster accidentally reported the game was a 2-2 draw, despite the Gunners finishing victorious.
    Arsenal won a 4-2 at Aston Villa today but the BBC reported it was a 2-2 drawCredit: Getty
    Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring the opening goal against ArsenalCredit: PA
    The now-updated article said Unai Emery’s team denied his former club the chance to go back to the top of the Premier League in a “dramatic” tie at Villa Park.
    It concluded Villa’s “defensive strength was evident” as they “earned a well-deserved point”.
    But in reality, Arsenal netted two stoppage time goals in the 93rd and 98th minutes, resulting in a 4-2 win.
    Supporters were quick to clock the error and point it out on social media.
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    Bob Oliver tweeted with a laughing face emoji: “Did the reporter leave early?”
    Cheryl Swanick added: “Obviously wrote it at 90 mins.”
    And Rob Potts said: “The BBC want to get their app sorted.
    “Arsenal won 4-1 but the report of the game says it was a 2-2 draw.
    Most read in Football
    “Rubbish reporting. Must have left before the finish.”
    Mikel Arteta said his side were “absolutely bouncing” after winning today’s “rollercoaster” game.
    Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho put the home side in front on two occasions, only for fine strikes from Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko to level for Arsenal.
    A stoppage-time own goal by former Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martinez and an even later clincher from Gabriel Martinelli put the Gunners’ stuttering title bid back on track.
    After breathing new life into their Premier League title challenge with the last-gasp win, Arteta believes his squad now have “more belief” than ever.
    He said: “The dressing room is absolutely bouncing.
    “We showed a lot of resilience, character and quality.
    “It was a rollercoaster, very emotional at the end.
    Read More on The Sun
    “I feel it’s right back, with more belief than before because you have to turn performances into results.”
    Emery said after the match it was an “embarrassing” loss. More

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    Ryan Reynolds makes hilarious comment about Sheffield United – leaving BBC studio in stitches before Wrexham’s 3-3 draw

    WREXHAM owner Ryan Reynolds left BBC pundit Alan Shearer in stitches before Sunday’s 3-3 FA Cup thriller with Sheffield United.Canadian actor and Hollywood star Reynolds, 46, completed a takeover of the non-league club in 2021 with Rob McElhenney.
    Ryan Reynolds left BBC pundit Alan Shearer in stitchesCredit: Rex
    Ryan Reynolds is the co-owner of non-league side Wrexham, who will contest an FA Cup fourth round replay against Sheffield UnitedCredit: Instagram
    The National League leaders missed out on promotion last season but are targeting a cup run this year.
    Wrexham beat Championship side Coventry in the third round of the FA Cup to set up their clash with Sheffield United.
    Ahead of kick-off, Reynolds joined Match of the Day host Gary Lineker and pundit Shearer.
    And he left the studio in stitches as he claimed it would take a miracle to beat his high-flying team.
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    Reynolds said: “I get nervous for a match like today.
    “Sheffield United are three leagues above us, 70 teams above us. It’s a classic David vs Goliath.
    “You guys know this more than anybody on Earth, this is football.
    “This is the beautiful game.
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    “And I’m going to go on record and say there’s a chance – albeit a slim chance – that Sheffield United pulls off a miracle today.”
    A miracle did in fact happen at the Racecourse Ground.
    Wrexham were minutes from booking their place in the fourth round of the cup with a 3-2 win over ten-men Sheffield United.
    However, John Egan scored right at the death in the fifth minute of added time to send the game to a replay. More

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    ‘Real and relentless’ – BBC Sport reporter Emma Louise Jones has woken up to vile fan messages every day for YEARS

    BBC Sport reporter Emma Louise Jones has revealed she faces daily torment from fans sending her vile messages.The TV journalist has become a popular face on TV for her role on Match of the Day X, an offshoot of the popular highlights programme aimed at a younger audience.
    Emma Louise Jones is enjoying a growing career in sports journalism
    The presenter has spoken out about inappropriate behaviour from people online
    But the increased profile has also brought trolls and invading her social media pages.
    Jones has previously shared strange messages fans had sent her way.
    And she has now shared in detail how she feels about the disturbing DMs.
    She said on her Instagram: “I sometimes get told that if I ignore these comments they’ll stop.
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    “That’s not true. These messages have come thick and fast for years and I kept quiet about it. It never stopped.
    “I know we laugh at the vulgarity of them, but there’s also a real issue here with people feeling they can anonymously send explicit messages with zero repercussions.
    “I share them because I want people to understand what I (and so many others) wake up to every, single day. So that people know this stuff is real and relentless.”
    Jones’ post was triggered after she was sent yet another twisted DM.
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    Jones’ career is going from strength to strength and she currently has a role with BBC SportCredit: Instagram / @eljonesuk
    She shared a crude message a fan sent her about her underwear.
    In the past the former Leeds TV presenter has taken to publicly shaming those who send her messages.
    Jones’ 382,000 followers have often enjoyed her brutal putdowns. More

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    Gary Lineker laughs off Match of the Day ‘porn noise’ scandal & enjoyed half-time analysis with sex-filled innuendo

    GARY Lineker yesterday laughed off the Match of the Day “porn noise” scandal — and said he took great pleasure filling his half-time analysis with sex-filled innuendo.The presenter said the BBC has had to look at its security measures following YouTuber Daniel “Jarvo” Jarvis’s stunt.
    Gary Lineker laughed off the MOTD ‘porn noise’ scandalCredit: BBC/UNPIXS
    The presenter said he enjoyed his half-time analysis with sex-filled innuendo – pictured The Sun’s coverage of the story
    But Gary, 62, who memorably had an on-pitch “accident” during England’s 1990 World Cup opener, joked: “If you told me yesterday morning that I’d be on the front page of The Sun, involved with a porn ­scandal, I’d have s*** myself — again!”
    Gary added: “I thought it was funny, and the YouTube prankster has shown his work.
    “It was that loud that I couldn’t really hear myself think, or what the other guys were saying, and realised people could probably hear it at home so I knew I had to both keep it together, whilst also addressing the matter.
    “In these situations, you have to keep your head.
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    “Yes, it’s funny but you can’t overwhelm the show — you can’t ignore it.
    “But, and after the studio manager had located the strap-on phone, I started to have a bit of fun with it all.
    “So at half-time every question I asked about the analysis, my comments were some kind of reference to it.
    “Things like ‘Wolves huffed and puffed’ or ‘the only goal was a screamer — and not the only screamer we had’, and ‘Liverpool pressed really hard in trying to get behind them’ — all that kind of thing.
    Most read in Football
    “It was daft but it really did amuse me. And once I realised it was a prank, I knew that if I started laughing I probably wouldn’t have stopped.
    “It was the most surreal and one of the strangest things I’ve ever encountered in broadcasting.”
    Prankster Jarvo, a serial pitch invader, had broken into the studio and activated a sexy sounds ring tone on a mobile phone, which he hid on the set.
    He then called the phone during Gary’s studio segments at the Wolves v Liverpool FA Cup replay at Molineux on Tuesday.
    The BBC later issued a po-faced apology.
    But Gary questioned that decision.
    He said: “I’m not sure why the BBC apologised because it’s not our fault obviously.
    “It’s a security issue, and there is a serious side to it; if someone can do that, they can do something else with something that could be more dangerous.
    “But, in this instance, I felt that universally people were finding it really funny.
    Read More on The Sun
    “And actually I have to agree with them, even if it was at our expense.
    “It was enjoyed, I think . . . much like those people on that phone!” More

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    I’m the UK’s biggest prankster Dan Jarvis – shocking act we got away with AFTER pulling porno stunt on Match of the Day

    THE UK’s biggest prankster Dan Jarvis has revealed the shocking act he and a pal got away with after pulling his porno prank on MotD.Football fans were left stunned yesterday night as a bizarre “porn noise” interrupted BBC’s build-up to Wolves vs Liverpool.
    Notorious UK prankster Dan Jarvis was behind the porno stuntCredit: Dan Charity
    Gary Lineker was left in shock at the noises being played in the backgroundCredit: bbc
    The BBC presenter revealed exactly where the noise was coming fromCredit: gary lineker
    Pundits Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer struggled to hide their embarrassment as they were forced to compete with an odd noise that viewers likened to a porn film.
    It was later revealed that a notorious prankster Dan Jarvis had hidden a mobile phone on the TV set at Molineux.
    He activated the sexy sounds ring-tone simply by ringing the mobile as he watched the live pictures on BBC1.
    And the joker has now admitted that he carried out another cheeky act under security’s noses just minutes after planting the phone.
    Read More in Football
    Prankster Dan revealed that he and a pal brazenly knocked back a beer from a hospitality box before getting out of the TV set.
    He told The Sun: “All the boxes were open and we just walked in there – there was no one to stop us.
    “We both had a Corona and just chilled out.
    “In those situations, you just want to be as relaxed as possible and be yourself, so that’s what we did.
    Most read in Football
    “We did a cheers with the beers after getting out of there.  It was hilarious.
    “At that point we didn’t know we’d nailed it as there was still some time to wait.”
    The honking noises started just moments before the FA Cup third round replay was about to get underway.
    It was first played as Lineker went live to co-commentator Shearer who was waiting to speak to him in the stadium.
    Lineker started laughing and said: “I don’t know who’s making that noise.
    “I don’t know if somebody is sending a joke on someone’s phone, I don’t know if you heard it at home.”
    Being the professional that he is, Lineker continued to present the show impeccably despite the sound simply not going away.
    It kept stopping and then restarting almost immediately.
    A BBC spokesperson said: “We apologise to any viewers offended during the live coverage of the football this evening.
    “We are investigating how this happened.”
    However, former football star Lineker insisted that the BBC has “nothing to apologise for” after the controversy.
    The 62-year-old said: “The BBC have issued some sort of apology, I know not why. It’s certainly got nothing to apologise for.
    “It was quite hard to carry on the pre-match build-up and take it seriously when this was going on in the background.
    “As pranks go, it was a good one and credit to them. It was funny I thought.”
    Once the game had started, Shearer joked that it was coming from Danny Murphy’s phone with the ex-Liverpool man also in the studio.
    But Lineker took to Twitter to reveal exactly what had happened.
    Read More on The Sun

    He uploaded a photo of a phone taped to the back of the set.
    The caption said: “Well, we found this taped to the back of the set. As sabotage goes it was quite amusing.” More

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    Gary Lineker breaks silence after ‘porn noises’ are played live in studio but says BBC has ‘nothing to apologise for’

    GARY LINEKER has insisted that BBC has “nothing to apologise for” after last night’s porn noise controversy.Viewers were left stunned as a bizarre “porn noise” interrupted their coverage of the Wolves vs Liverpool FA Cup clash.
    Gary Lineker was left red-faced when a porn noise interrupted BBC’s coverage of Wolves vs LiverpoolCredit: BBC
    The noise continued live on air as he spoke to Alan Shearer up in the gantryCredit: BBC/UNPIXS
    The BBC issued a grovelling apology after the incidentCredit: Getty
    Lineker told Newsnight he saw the funny side of it and said BBC had nothing to apologise forCredit: BBC
    Pundits Lineker and Alan Shearer struggled to hide their embarrassment as they were forced to compete with an odd noise that viewers likened to a porn film.
    It was later revealed that a notorious prankster had hidden a mobile phone on the TV set at Molineux for Liverpool’s FA Cup win at Wolves. 
    Daniel Jarvis, who is a serial pitch invader, then activated the sexy sounds ring-tone simply by ringing the mobile as he watched the live pictures on BBC1.
    That led to the BBC being forced into releasing a statement issuing a grovelling apology.
    READ MORE TRANSFER NEWS
    However, Lineker does not believe that an apology was in order as he insisted that he could see the funny side of the incident.
    He told Newsnight: “If you told me this morning that tonight I’d be on Newsnight talking about a porn scandal I would have been terrified.
    “When it started, I did recognise that sound. I think we’ve all been done with that when you open up a WhatsApp or something.
    “It was so loud I couldn’t hear anything that either Danny Murphy or even when I spoke to Alan Shearer. I could hardly hear what they said when the thing was going on.” I have to say I think it’s funny.”
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    The 62-year-old added: “The BBC have issued some sort of apology, I know not why. It’s certainly got nothing to apologise for.
    “It was quite hard to carry on the pre-match build-up and take it seriously when this was going on in the background.
    “It added to the whole game actually. I don’t think anyone cared for the game. We had a screamer of a goal which was kind of the tone of the whole show in some ways.
    As pranks go, it was a good one and credit to them. It was funny I thought.”

    The BBC’s apology read: “We apologise to any viewers offended during the live coverage of the football this evening. We are investigating how this happened.”
    The honking noises started just moments before the FA Cup third round replay was about to get underway.
    It was first played as Lineker went live to co-commentator Shearer who was waiting to speak to him in the stadium.
    Lineker started laughing and said: “I don’t know who’s making that noise.
    “I don’t know if somebody is sending a joke on someone’s phone, I don’t know if you heard it at home.”
    Gary Lineker revealed on Twitter that they found this phone in the studio which was making the noiseCredit: @GaryLineker
    Youtube comedian Daniel Jarvis claimed he was behind the chaos in the BBC studioCredit: Jarvo69 aka BMWJarvo
    Being the professional that he is, Lineker continued to present the show impeccably despite the sound simply not going away as it kept stopping and then restarting almost immediately.
    Lineker took to Twitter to reveal exactly what had happened by uploading a photo of a phone taped to the back of the set.
    The caption said: “Well, we found this taped to the back of the set. As sabotage goes it was quite amusing.”
    Serial pitch invader Jarvis claimed responsibility for the incident.
    The YouTuber, whose account name is Jarvo69, hosted a live stream as he hijacked the BBC’s coverage.
    He proudly announced at the beginning of the video: “Here we are, we have set up a phone with a loud sex noise in the BBC studios at the Wolves v Liverpool FA Cup replay.”
    Jarvo69 watches the coverage with his phone held carefully in hand, waiting for the moment to pull off his practical joke.
    He has also now posted a short video to Twitter showing himself in the Beeb studio before coverage began.
    Read More on The Sun
    He wrote: “Yes, it was me that pranked the BBC Match of the Day with the sex phone. The video coming soon!!!! Best prankster ever!!!”
    Jarvis has a long history of big stunts during sports events, and once even invaded the stage on the X Factor in 2016. More