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TV blunder

ITV changes Iceland abbreviation to ICE for Argentina game at World Cup 2018

The move comes after the BBC had a howler in the post-match analysis after France's match

ITV have caused confusion for some TV viewers by changing the team abbreviation.

For the scoreline in Argentina's clash with Iceland, they used the three-worded country code 'ICE' for the European minnows.

 ITV used the abbreviation ICE instead of ISL
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ITV used the abbreviation ICE instead of ISL

But the internationally recognised code should read 'ISL'.

And the TV company did the same thing yesterday during Morocco's surprise defeat to Iran.

The North Africans' abbreviation is MAR because of the large French influence in the country, whilst the official languages of the country are Arabic and Berber.

The French word for Morocco is Maroc - and the abbreviation MAR is therefore used for sporting events and as the official country code.

 ITV made a similar howler in Morocco's defeat against Iran
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ITV made a similar howler in Morocco's defeat against IranCredit: AFP or licensors
Argentina fans party in Moscow as they prepare for World Cup opener against Iceland

ITV, however, called them MOR.

The move come after the BBC had a howler earlier with a loss of transmission from Russia.

While the pundits were discussing France's scrappy win over Australia, millions were left with the dreaded loading screen.

It then got even stranger - with the broadcast of an advert for Radio 1.

All 32 nation's Country Codes

Argentina - ARG

Australia - AUS

Austria - AUT

Belgium - BEL

Brazil - BRA

Colombia - COL

Costa Rica - CRI

Croatia - HRV

Denmark - DNK

Egypt - EGY

England - ENG

France - FRA

Germany - DEU

Iceland - ISL

Iran - IRN

Japan - JPN

South Korea - KOR

Mexico - MEX

Morocco - MAR

Nigeria - NGA

Panama - PAN

Peru - PER

Poland - POL

Portugal - PRT

Russia - RUS
Saudi Arabia - SAU

Senegal - SEN

Serbia - SRB

Spain - ESP

Sweden - SWE

Switzerland - CHE

Tunisia - TUN

Uruguay - URY

 

 BBC viewers were presented with this image when pundits discussed a 2-1 win for France over Australia
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BBC viewers were presented with this image when pundits discussed a 2-1 win for France over AustraliaCredit: BBC


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BBC coverage crashes in bizarre scenes during World Cup France vs. Australia analysis

Coverage returned a minute later with all four studio-bound pundits still in full flow - and seemingly unaware of the glitch.

But there was more post-match drama as coverage dropped out again.

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