As West Ham and Leicester fans settled down to watch their Premier League clash they got a Liverpool-themed surprise.
It is no big secret that sycophantic broadcast companies favour the so-called “Big Six” and European elite.
West Ham and Leicester certainly aren’t part of that exclusive group.
There is a clear football food chain for the TV companies.
West Ham and the Foxes are clearly below Liverpool in that respect.
TNT Sports has a particular preference for all things Liverpool and screening as many of the Reds’ games as possible.
Just ask Jurgen Klopp who reacted furiously to TNT Sports when they gave his side a fifth 12.30pm kick-off last season.
TNT even has its own dedicated Liverpool web section explaining how fans can watch their matches on its channels.
It will come as no great surprise that West Ham and Leicester do not have their own.
TNT Sports infuriate West Ham fans with Liverpool talk
Ok so the “Big Six” bias is nothing new.
But there were new levels of sycophancy when the Hammers welcomed the Foxes to the London Stadium for a crucial Premier League clash.
There was a lot riding on the game for the visitors in particular.
Leicester desperately needed a result in their battle to avoid relegation.
TNT had former Hammers star Joe Cole and ex Leicester hero Neil Lennon as pundits.
West Ham have a new manager in place and are looking to push up the league.
There should have been plenty to talk about regarding the two sides.
But TNT Sports infuriated West Ham fans with Liverpool talk before the Leicester clash.
Standing in the West Ham tunnel area half an hour from kick-off, conversation turned to Liverpool and Mohamed Salah.
The segment left supporters of all clubs – not just West Ham and Leicester – scratching their heads.
Salah Ballon d’Or segue jars ahead of Hammers kick off
With kick-off looming large, Cole and Lennon were suddenly asked about Liverpool and specifically Salah’s chance of winning a Ballon d’Or.
The conversation extended into why the Liverpool superstar hadn’t won one before.
For the record Liverpool fans, Cole said he believes the only reason Salah hasn’t already won the honour is because he has playing in the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era.
The random segue did not go down well with West Ham and Leicester fans.
When TNT then posted it on social media, supporters of a host of clubs were left asking whether West Ham were still playing Leicester in a few minutes.
One prominent Hammers account sarcastically stated it was a ‘great West Ham chat’.
Liverpool are on course to lift the Premier League title.
How about a segment on West Ham concessions victory?
Especially after West Ham beat Arsenal to all but confirm Arne Slot’s side as champions elect.
So naturally they are going to be talked about a lot by the press.
But to start discussing the Reds in such detail ahead of kick-off only served to feed the feeling there is a media bias towards the likes of Liverpool over the ‘Other 14’.
Liverpool are a great, famous club and media interest will always be high in the Anfield outfit.
If TV companies want to be taken seriously by fans of other clubs, though, they must show the likes of the Hammers – and in this case Leicester – the respect they deserve.
Here’s a novel idea, talk about the teams who are about to play each other in more detail if you have time to fill.
Why not discuss the fact West Ham fans had forced the club into a dramatic U-turn over concessions?
TNT could have got one of the key figures behind that campaign on to talk about what is a huge victory for supporters.
Is it any wonder the likes of Sky Sports and TNT and labelled “Big Six” sycophants.
They must start showing the West Ham’s and Leicester’s of this world more respect.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
