McCoist welcomes BBC apology

26 July 2011 13:01
Rangers boss Ally McCoist has welcomed a BBC apology after being "appalled" by the editing of last week's pre-match media conference.[LNB] During Friday's national evening news programme, McCoist was shown smirking while audio was played of a reporter questioning him about the behaviour of supporters at Old Firm matches.[LNB]The 48-year-old was angry that his response to another question had been inserted in the feature, which was shown on the News at Six on BBC1 on Friday.[LNB]McCoist demanded an apology and did not give his normal interviews to the BBC, who are rights holders for the Scottish Premier League, before or after the 1-1 draw with Hearts on Saturday.[LNB]A BBC reporter's microphone was removed from the post-match press conference and no BBC reporter was present at the club's media conference on Monday as McCoist previewed Tuesday night's Champions League qualifier against Malmo.[LNB]A club statement on Tuesday afternoon read: "Rangers manager Ally McCoist has today received an apology from the BBC following what the club feels was totally unacceptable reporting on BBC national news, the BBC website and Radio Five Live last Friday.[LNB]"A written apology has been sent to the manager. It will be posted on the BBC News website and an on-air apology will be read out on BBC Sportsound at 7pm this evening."[LNB]McCoist, whose various past media commitments include a long spell as a captain on the BBC's A Question of Sport, said: "I was appalled by the BBC's coverage last Friday and the club will not tolerate this type of reporting.[LNB]"I was adamant I would not speak to the BBC until the matter was resolved to my satisfaction so I am pleased an apology has been issued today.[LNB]"I have always been generous with my time as the media play an important role in modern football but I will not tolerate being portrayed in the manner I was last week.[LNB]"Having worked in television for many years, with the BBC, I know exactly what was done last Friday and I was disgusted with their editing of the pre-Hearts press conference.[LNB]"Last season was a difficult one for the Scottish game and I think it is important we all get back to focusing on football.[LNB]"We all have a responsibility to improve the game's image - players, management, supporters and the media - and I hope season 2011/12 can be remembered for all the right reasons."[LNB]The article, on the costs of policing Old Firm matches both at and away from the stadia, also featured comments from Celtic manager Neil Lennon.[LNB]The BBC accepted that the editing of the piece was inappropriate.[LNB]A statement from the BBC read: "Overall we stand by the merits of our report revealing the extent of violence after Old Firm derbies and the cost of policing these matches.[LNB]"However, we do accept that the sequence involving comments from Rangers' manager Alistair McCoist could have given the impression that he did not take the issue seriously.[LNB]"It was not our intention to misrepresent Mr McCoist.[LNB]"The BBC accepts that Rangers Football Club and Alistair McCoist treat the issue of violence and disorder surrounding football matches as a very serious matter.[LNB]"We accept that offence has been caused by an inappropriate edit in the piece as transmitted and for that we apologise."

Source: Team_Talk