Celtic supporters who challenged Pat Nevin’s claim that Lawrence Shankland had been punched at Parkhead have now seen the BBC uphold complaints over the commentary.
As supporters entered the pitch, the former Scotland international told BBC Radio 5 Live listeners that “two or three” Celtic fans had punched Shankland.
That description was disputed almost immediately.
The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit has now looked back at the incident and ruled that Nevin should not have presented the allegation as fact.
In its findings, the ECU said: “Mr Nevin subsequently acknowledged that he should not have stated definitively that the Hearts captain had been punched by Celtic fans.
“The ECU accepted that this was an honest error made in the heat of the moment, but concluded that it fell below the BBC’s editorial standards of accuracy.”
A claim that Celtic supporters had physically assaulted a player was broadcast nationally in the middle of a fast-moving situation, without the benefit of proper verification.
The BBC has now accepted that the wording went too far.
Nevin has also rowed back on what he originally believed he had seen.
He said: “I made a mistake in a commentary at the end of the last game of the Scottish season.
“From my angle in the gantry I thought I saw a punch thrown, but it appears it was a confrontation or maybe just goading from one of the hundreds of Celtic fans who invaded the pitch just before the end of the game.”
Nevin also acknowledged the difference between the two versions of events.
He added: “Goading is not physical violence and I will take it on the chin, the way the Hearts player probably didn’t. My apologies to those offended.”
The BBC says Nevin apologised on air twice and again through his BBC Sport newsletter.
Nobody is disputing that the scenes at full-time were difficult to read in real time.
But there is a clear difference between describing an incident as it unfolds and making a serious accusation against Celtic supporters as a confirmed fact.
The BBC has now accepted that the original commentary went too far, with the complaints ruling making clear that Nevin should not have presented the claim as fact without proper verification.
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4 responses
And what are the consequences for Nevin? Nothing I’ll bet.
I don’t suppose he saw Shankland mouthing ‘Fenian C****’. No our Pat is so desperate to wear neutral glasses he frequently adds blue tints. He alleges that he stopped supporting Celtic due to sectarian singing but can sit amongst the great unwashed when getting paid to listen.
The ‘apology’ concludes with ….. “ …to those offended ..”. which is both patronising, and condescending.
Nevin’s underlying message is that he’s been forced to say ‘sorry’, but wouldn’t have bothered if he could have got away with it.
Sad stuff.
Kevin made a big mistake he called it like most referees not what he seen he just guessed it things went overboard no one should have invaded the pitch but we have seen it in most games that week winning there league nothing has been written or spoken lets get it straight about 5 thousand fans invaded the pitch not to fight like Celtic Cup win at Ibrox where the Rangers fans got on to pitch to confront Celtic fans celebrating a win there were only one support wanting to fight .Back to Celtic park those that went on the pitch for less than 5 minutes 5 thousands out of 50 odd thousands yes Celtic as a club are suffering no other club gets treated by sfa and local media this weekend game its a disgrace one club suffers and if you look at history of those clubs since 2012There is one club with previous for invading pitches town centres during covid putting everyone at risk yes the Rangers have cant do anything outside Ibrox gates they don’t even try if Celtic win according to media The Rangers manager will loss his job no pressure put on officails who no the man personally it not the result this next game that will see him loss his job which will not happen but we as usual we have sphycs sfa have to sort out what is an injustice on one club brought by our media and pundits if Celtic win then justice will be done