‘Nobody wants this’ Fans destroy BBC’s half-time innovation in FA Cup clash between Leyton Orient and Man City

THE BBC have come under fire from baffled fans – for interviewing a player at HALF-TIME.

Leyton Orient‘s Dan Happe was thrown in front of the camera after his team’s impressive first-half performance at Brisbane Road.

An own goal from Stefan Ortega gave the League One side a deserved lead at the break.

The game was played in driving rain in East London, with Orient defending valiantly to preserve their lead.

But as a sodden Happe headed towards the dressing room, he was collared by the Beeb for an interview.

One fan fumed on X: “You guys are shameless, interviewing a Leyton Orient player AT HALF TIME! No class!”

Another said: “Why are we now doing half time interviews… utter disgrace to the game, it’s not a circus.”

While a third added: “Half time interviews? Literally surely the player has better things to be doing and thinking about at half time.”

And a fourth raged: “Why do the BBC believe its appropriate to interview the captain of the lower division team even before he’s got off the pitch at half time. Try f*****g doing that to the City captain or Guardiola. The disrespect is unbelievable.”

And ESPN’s Ian Darke added: “Really don’t want to see players interviewed in cold and wet conditions on their way off pitch at half time. Doesn’t feel right, adds little.”

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It’s not the first time the BBC have trialled the innovation this season during their FA Cup coverage.

Sky Sports faced a similar backlash from fans last year after interviewing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola during the half-time break in a Premier League game.

Earlier in Saturday’s fourth-round contest, Jamie Donley stunned the Premier League champions by taking aim from 40 yards out.

Donley came out best following a 50/50 in the middle of the park and spotted City keeper Ortega off his line.

The 20-year-old hit a brilliant strike from just inside City’s half, which Ortega could only watch fly over his head.

Donley was denied a stunning goal only by the crossbar.

But the ball instead smashed back off the woodwork, hitting Ortega and rolling into the net.