Scottish fans complain that BBC’s Euro 2020 coverage is too biased towards Gareth Southgate’s team

Scottish fans have complained that the BBC’s coverage of Euro 2020 has been too biased towards Gareth Southgate’s squad after a Scottish nationalist politician moaned about the broadcaster’s pro-English slant. 

The under-fire corporation has said it has been contacted by a number of football enthusiasts who are unhappy about the wall-to-wall England coverage during all manner of matches by presenters and commentators alike – regardless of whether or not the Three Lions are playing.

Former England players Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand have fronted coverage of the side’s games as Southgate’s team storm to the semi-final clash against Denmark at Wembley Stadium tomorrow. 

But the BBC hit out at criticism by pointing out its football broadcasts had also featured pundits from other home nations including ex-Scotland player James McFadden and former women’s team manager Shelley Kerr. 

It comes after Alba Party MP Kenny MacAskill called for the Scottish Parliament to be given more power over the running of the BBC and referred to pro-English bias in its football coverage.

Mr MacAskill said: ‘Scots are scunnered with Euro commentators’ endless mentioning of the glories of ’66 and Gazza’s goal. The need to see the world through a Scottish lens is clear.’

Reacting to the BBC’s ‘terrible’ coverage this season, Twitter users moaned: ‘Every game they [at the corporation] they spend half time banging on about England’. 

Gary Lineker (left during the England v Germany match) has fronted coverage of the games alongside former England players Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand. Last month MP Kenny MacAskill (right) called for the Scottish Parliament to be given more power over the running of the BBC and referred to pro-English bias in its football coverage

BBC commentators pictured reacting to one of England’s goals against Germany on June 29. The corporation said it has been contacted by a number of viewers who were unhappy about comments favouring the England team

England manager Gareth Southgate during training at St George’s Park, Burton Upon Trent

Reacting to the BBC’s ‘terrible’ coverage this season, Twitter users moaned: ‘Every game they [at the corporation] they spend half time banging on about England’

One social media user from Scotland posted: ‘Ludicrous, it’s been England this, England that all Euros, BBC, ITV, Sky Sports and Talksport have been so biased with coverage, we actually deserved the coverage we got as we also pay TV licences’.

Another said: ‘There really ought to be a will to provide alternative local commentary in the devolved nations. And if there’s a will, there’s certainly a way with technology now’.

One Twitter used wrote: ‘Watching Spain v Poland & still hearing about England yesterday. It’s pretty obvious that the default BBC/ITV setting for coverage of the Euros is England. No problem with that, except I’m not in England & this is meant to be the UK BBC/ITV. This isn’t going to change. Time to go’. 

And one furious social media user tweeted: ‘There’s another of thousands of complaints about BBC Euros coverage and the continual bias. ‘IT STINKS’! Even when England aren’t playing. Lineker and co just go on and on about England. ‘PLEASE STOP’! The public should stop paying the TV licence. BRITISH BROADCASTING COMPANY?’ 

Mr MacAskill added: ‘The need to see the world through a Scottish lens is clear. It’s time the Scottish Government spoke out rather than standing on the sidelines.

‘RTE covers every game with an Irish commentator. It would be something like that.

‘We wouldn’t have to have all Scottish pundits but it would mean that Scots don’t have to listen to commentators making constant reference to things like Gazza’s goal. 

‘BBC Scotland should opt-out and cover all games separately. They could have a Scottish commentary with a panel in Glasgow. It can be international, with non Scots.’

In a statement, the BBC said: ‘We’ve received some complaints about our Euro 2020 coverage, from people who think our commentators or presenters are biased in favour of England.

‘This year, our Euro team features a line-up of England, Scotland, and Wales experts, including Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand, Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Jermaine Jenas, Mark Hughes, Ashley Williams, Robbie Savage, James McFadden and Shelley Kerr. 

‘Dedicated team coverage will also be provided by home nations experts; Kelly Somers for England, Eilidh Barbour for Scotland, and Carl Roberts for Wales. We also feature international representation through Jurgen Klinsmann, Cesc Fabregas, Petr Cech and Eric Abidal.

‘We are proud of the expertise and experience that our team are bringing to football fans across the UK, and don’t agree that our line-up shows any bias towards any one team.’

The BBC also said it had received some complaints about its choice of commentators, presenters and pundits for the tournament.

It added: ‘Our football coverage is watched by a very diverse audience, each with differing views and opinions, and for that reason we aim to reflect those across our programmes.

England football fans gather for the team’s Euro 2020 Round of 16 tie with Germany at the Boxpark Shoreditch venue in east London

Scottish fans are pictured in a pub in Glasgow watching the game between England and Scotland on June 18

Fans of Scotland show their support after the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between England and Scotland at Wembley stadium on June 18

The BBC previously came under fire for its alleged wall-to-wall coverage of Scotland’s elimination from the Euros while England’s victory over the Czech Republic was relegated to a footnote

‘We believe we’ve put together a very strong line-up of presenters, pundits, and commentators including ex-professional players/managers and football experts.

‘We appreciate that not everyone will enjoy every one of our presenters, pundits, or commentators, but we are proud of the range of talent and expertise our Euros 2020 team bring to our coverage.’ 

The BBC previously came under fire for its alleged wall-to-wall coverage of Scotland’s elimination from the Euros while England’s victory over the Czech Republic was relegated to a footnote.  

The rivals were both in the same group at the tournament, with England beating Czech Republic 1-0 to advance as group winners and Scotland finishing bottom after losing 3-1 to Croatia. 

However, much of the post-match coverage on the BBC appeared to focus on Scotland falling short rather than England’s success, infuriating English fans. Bulletins on BBC Radio 4 today, BBC Breakfast and BBC News online also led on Scotland.