‘Forgot to hit the mute button’ – BBC commentator’s ‘wildly inappropriate’ outburst live on air leaves fans in meltdown

FOOTBALL fans were left in stitches following a hilarious comment made live on air during a BBC Sport radio broadcast.

During last night’s jam-packed Europa League League Stage finale, Rangers took on Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox.

Rangers ended up winning the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Nicolas Raskin and Vaclav Cerny either side of half-time before Kevin Mac Allister netted a late reply for the visitors.

But at around the 66-minute mark play was briefly stopped by referee Damian Sylwestrzak.

It came as former Accrington defender Ross Sykes was left in a heap on the floor after blocking a Ross McCausland shot square in the face.

This was explained on BBC Sportsound by commentator Neil McCann and pundit Steven “Tommo” Thompson.

Ex-Rangers winger McCann, 50, explained the situation before wincing upon seeing a replay.

However, Thompson seemed to be a little less sympathetic than his colleague, suddenly bursting out saying: “In the face!” in a funny voice.

The unexpected remark caught many listeners off guard and left them in stitches.

One fan captured the snippet of audio and posted it to social media to fans’ delight.

Reacting to the clip on social media, one fan said: “Wildly inappropriate commentary hahahahahaha.”

A second said: “Definitely forgot to hit the mute button,” followed by a laughing emoji.

A third added: “That is outstanding.”

Another said: “Can’t stop playing it.”

A fifth said: “Inappropriate (lol). Calm down man.”

While many others replied with sets of laughing emojis.

Former Lincoln player and manager Thompson, 69, was previously dropped from commentating for the BBC from November 2020 to the end of the year.

Working as a freelancer, Thompson had made comments referencing “handbags” and “the referee’s wife” during an Accrington match.

In 2018 he was also warned by the broadcaster over his use of language that “didn’t meet the standards we expect”.

Listeners had raised concerns about comments across a 20-minute period, including one where he said: “Being a bit of a drama queen… he’d have been better wearing a skirt.”

The use of “handbags” had also been present.

But this time around Thompson seems to have made headlines for the right reasons, with his off-the-cuff comment during Rangers clash with USG treating fans to a funny moment during the game.

Rangers’ win confirmed their progression into the last 16 after sneaking into the top eight positions that provide knockout round spots without the need for an extra play-off round.

Wins for Manchester United over FCSB and Tottenham over IF Elfsborg saw all the British clubs progress automatically.