Celtic have escalated their row with Sky Sports by banning the broadcaster from today’s media conference to preview tomorrow’s match with Hearts.
Last week Celtic reported the broadcaster to Ofcom after they failed to provide an explanation as to the subtitles used in an interview with Alfredo Morelos which claimed that he had been racially abused by Celtic fans.
The striker answered questions in Spanish and made no mention of Celtic. Sky apologised and removed the interview which was used extensively on Sky Sports News and Sky News.
The Guardian reports:
Celtic are refusing to co-operate with Sky Sports as the Scottish champions pursue a full explanation for a mistranslated interview with the Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos.
In a major embarrassment for Sky, subtitles attached to Morelos, who spoke in Spanish, wrongly accused Celtic supporters of racially abusing the Colombian at the Old Firm match on 29 December.
Sky’s reporters were not welcome at Celtic’s pre-match press conference for Wednesday’s game at home to Hearts, as had been the case before last Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie against Clyde. Such a move is not typical of Celtic and illustrates the scale of their feeling. The broadcaster faces a race to resolve the matter before its live screening of Aberdeen v Celtic on Sunday.
Sky has exclusive live coverage of the match at Aberdeen which includes an exclusive interview with a player from each side and pre-match interview with the managers involved.
Are Celtic right to ban Sky Sports as they await the Ofcom report?
Yes, they have refused to explain 'translation'
No, we need to maintain a working relationship
Next season Sky has an exclusive deal to broadcast SPFL Premiership football but that could be in doubt if there is no peace deal with the eight times champions.