When Saud Abulhamid coached Leandro Paredes for an eighth-minute penalty in the 2022 World Cup match between Saudi Arabia and Argentina, two men covering the game for ITV had wildly differing opinions.
Roy Keane and Graeme Souness both worked for ITV as pundits, neither of them shy about giving their opinion on a contentious issue. At halftime, they had their chance to afford them.
Graeme Souness felt it was a certain penalty, agreeing with VAR’s decision who took the foul, and, when asked by presenter Laura Woods if he thought it was of a penalty, Souness replied: “Certainly. He [the Saudi Arabia defender] don’t know where the ball is. He is only interested in the Argentine player. I think it’s a penalty.”
However, Keane disagreed, believing it would set a dangerous precedent if penalties continued to be awarded for this type of foul.
“All of this will only encourage diving,” Keane said. “He [the Argentina player] pull him down.”
Souness v Keane: The gloves are off! 🧤The two experts clash over Argentina’s sanction decision… 😬#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/htLxuWiHHtNovember 22, 2022
From there, carnage ensued on the ITV set, with the back-and-forth reaching fever pitch.
Souness: “Roy, you’re not listening to what Laura said – it’s a guideline for the referees. It’s not a matter of opinion, it’s a fact that the guy wasn’t looking at the ball. “
Keane: “I listened to what she said – in my opinion it’s not a penalty.”
Souness: “It’s not a matter of opinion, it’s a matter of the laws of the game.”
Keane: “Why am I here to give my opinion then?”
The pair then continued to interrupt each other, both adamant their point of view is more correct than what the other is trying to convey. However, after Keane said it was his “opinion” that it wasn’t a penalty yet, Souness snapped.
“I’ve heard you say it ten times,” said the Scotsman. “Do you want to say it again? Let someone else do the talking. You’ll learn a lot more if you listen rather than talk all the time.”
Whew, we’re sure ITV is glad it’s over and the two tough guys haven’t come to blows. Joe Cole clearly enjoyed the moment, however, standing on the side of the arguing pair smiling before finally agreeing with Souness. Inevitably, this caused Keane’s annoyance to reach an even higher crescendo.
Arms wide open, the Irishman stared in disbelief. How many more games will Souness and Keane be in office together?
