BBC News apologises for showing wrong footballer in rape arrest report

Callum Boyle

The BBC apologised for the error.

BBC News had to issue an on-air apology on Thursday after accidentally showing an image of Raheem Sterling while reporting on an unnamed Premier League player’s arrest on suspicion of rape.

The broadcaster had been running a news segment on the case during their morning sports bulletin but accidentally used an image of Sterling as the backdrop.

The picture of the England international is believed to have been used in an earlier story about his recent move from Manchester City to Chelsea.

Did anyone else just see the BBC News mention a footballer and rape allegations, with a picture of Raheem Sterling, that was suddenly removed and the presenter try to change the subject?! What's going on? pic.twitter.com/XeU88vOQmK

— Tom – JOIN A UNION! (@Massivetoe) July 14, 2022

During a later broadcast on the BBC News channel the same day, the programme issued an apology after viewers watching earlier noticed the mistake, with the presenter explaining there had been a “technical error” and that Sterling is “wholly unconnected” to the allegations.

They said: “In our sports bulletin this morning, owing to a technical error the wrong picture appeared in connection with the story of a Premier League player arrested over alleged sexual offences.

“A picture of a different and wholly unconnected player was shown. We apologise for this mistake.”

Apology made: pic.twitter.com/xczuNTw8Ng

— Tom – JOIN A UNION! (@Massivetoe) July 14, 2022

Unnamed player has been allowed to continue to train with his club.

The report had been in reference to a player, who cannot be named for legal reasons, arrested in Barnet, North London on July 4 on suspicion of rape against a woman in her 20s.

He was further arrested while in custody over allegations of raping a different woman in April and June 2021 and currently remains on bail until August.

The player’s club, who have also remained unnamed, confirmed on Wednesday that they would not be suspending him and he would continue to train with the rest of the squad.

The club said “there have been no charges laid and the player can fulfil his professional commitments including permitted travel.

“We take our commitments and responsibilities seriously and have followed our safeguarding policies and procedures.

“We will keep this matter under close consideration and will review further if circumstances change.”