Beeb’s Boob: Bayern v Aberdeen or Panathinaikos v Rangers?
BBC Scotland unimpressed with their recent decision regarding the broadcast of this week’s UEFA Cup matches.
As some will know, Rangers take on Panathinaikos in Greece on Thursday and Bayern Munich play Aberdeen at the Allianz Arena in Germany that same day. But unfortunately for non-travelling fans, both matches are contested at roughly the same time. Which means that the BBC can only broadcast one - out of interests of “fairness” to viewers.
They’ve gone for the Rangers match. Which means that any Aberdeen fans unable to make the journey to Germany won’t be able to watch the second leg of the tie, where they still have a chance of making it to the last 16.
Both games are delicately balanced, it’s 0-0 in the Rangers game and 2-2 in the Aberdeen match. Given that neither Greece nor Germany are easy places to travel, I wouldn’t say either tie has a clear winner just yet.
It seems clear that the BBC assumed that Bayern would finish off the tie in the first leg at Pittodrie and therefore, there would be no need to show the second leg. That hasn’t happened and now I’d argue the Bayern vs. Aberdeen game will be far more entertaining than the Panathinaikos vs. Rangers match.
Of course, there are more Rangers fans in Scotland than there are Aberdeen fans. But frankly, even if I weren’t an Aberdeen fan I’d rather watch Bayern Munich, with players like Franck Ribery, Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni, than either Panathinaikos or Rangers. And any neutral would probably say the same.
Aberdeen South MP Anne Begg has gone as far as to write to BBC Scotland controller Ken MacQUarrie to try and have the decision changed, and have the BBC either show the Dons match instead, or to show both.
So far this season, BBC Scotland have broadcast seven of Aberdeen’s European matches, but only four of Rangers’. This is of course, because Rangers qualified for the Champions’ League, which is broadcast between Sky and ITV. Now that they’ve dropped down into the UEFA Cup, BBC Scotland have rights to their matches again - and clearly they’re displaying their preference for Rangers matches.
The general opinion amongst Aberdeen fans is that the 2-2 draw last week with the Germans was their greatest result in recent times. They travel abroad with high hopes, despite a 3-1 defeat to Hibernian on Sunday. They could pull off the result of the decade, or at least, of their decade, if they can win against Bayern.
What’s so special about Panathinaikos versus Rangers that makes it more desirable? Rangers clearly consider the UEFA Cup as a ‘consolation prize’, having been unable to make it into the last 16 of the Champions’ League. Why not let the fans who genuinely care about the competition and their side’s progress have their day?
Aberdeen are often mentioned as a footnote in Scotland’s ‘revival’. The national side’s narrow failure to qualify for Euro 2008, Celtic making the last 16 of the Champions’ League and Rangers almost making it. Aberdeen’s progress in the UEFA Cup, remarkable considering they don’t have the money, resources or the fanbase that either of the Old Firm do, should be more of a big deal.
But the BBC have gone for the viewers rather than the entertainment. What a boob.
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It’s unfortunate for Aberdeen that their game kicks off 45 minutes after Rangers, BUT!
Come on, Rangers are on a different planet from Aberdeen in terms of viewing figures, Rangers are the leading club in Scotland and for some obscure reason just now all they get is abuse for winning.
As for BBC having a Rangers bias, Rangers weekend goals have not appeared on BBC Scotland News on a Monday night for many weeks - regardless of how many people complain about it.
Then there’s games such as PSG - Rangers which wasn’t shown as BBC wanted to show Celtic at home to Valencia, Fenerbahce - Rangers which wasn’t shown so Celtic at home to Ajax could be shown.
BBC should at least put highlights of the Aberdeen match on later that night, or even better show it in full, delayed after the gers match.
Hahaha get it up ye sheepy
I think the beeb decided to show the Gers game as they have a MUCH larger chance of going through on the face of it. There is absolutely no way the Dons will get any kind of result on Thursday. Last week at Pittodrie, Bayern underestimated the Dons and how difficult they can make life for teams up there on their short and narrow pitch. I know its a bit of a glam game but I believe the beeb have saved us all from witnessing an drab ‘going over’ (sorry, Dons). Saying that I want them to get a result don’t get me wrong - it would be fantastic for Scottish footy!
I also agree with the comment above that Rangers have a huge following (pardon the pun) in comparison to Aberdeen. So within these boundaries there is no contest i’m afraid.
BBC bias towards Rangers? You’re having a laugh, right?
And yes, Rangers are on a different planet, but then so are Bayern. I do think both games should be shown. Even if they were to stick it on BBC Three I wouldn’t complain. It just seems unfair that the BBC have followed Aberdeen’s progress all this way only to drop them at what could be their last game.
So yes, they’re going for the viewers…that’s what I said. I just think there’s a good argument to suggest that this isn’t entirely the best decision the BBC ever made.
As for Stuart Duncan…well, what can I say to that really?
It’s a shame that Aberdeen won’t be shown, but I suppose the Beeb has a duty to it’s paying customers, and more of them follow Rangers than Aberdeen.
Surely the Beeb could at least show highlights from the game?
Baaaaaaaaaaad luck the dons have zero chance of progressing that’s about the same amount of viewers the bbc would’ve got if they had opted for that tie
More viewers! Ha! Whatever! Aberdeen’s thrilling first leg game was watched by nearly 500,000 viewers in Scotland alone (and thats on BBC Two at teatime rather than primetime like the Gers match!)
The article is right about neutrals, the Aberdeen game is going to be far more entertaining and any Rangers fan that thinks they have a better chance of going through than Aberdeen is sorely mistaken - Panathinaikos are no pushovers! There has always been an Old-Firm bias at the BBC. People think this is down to viewer numbers, but Thursday shows this not to be the case!
Doesn’t matter anyway, Setanta Sports 1 are showing the Aberdeen game live on Sky, Virgin, BT Vision and Freeview. And Aberdeen fans will not forget BBC Scotland’s betrayal in a hurry!
Let’s face it, Rangers have by far the biggest support in Scotland. The BBC spend a large amount of their time trying to stir up trouble for Rangers, so maybe they’ve just wilted under the onslaught of criticism.
Lets hope that the Beeb don’t provide two tarriers for the Pana commentary like Setanta do. You can just hear the Setanta commentary team willing **any** opposition to score against Rangers. I’m surprised that Bears fans even bother to subscribe.
As for the Aberdeen game being exciting, it will be if you’re a Bayern fan, with three goals in each half. Then it’s off to the Brauhaus to celebrate.
You can just imagine a couple of Bavarians with their lederhosen and a sheep… Oh well it takes a bit of imagination.
8# 500k watched Aberdeen? Ho hum…. Must be all those Utd, Hearts, Hibs, Gers fans…. having a laugh.
BTW Sir Ferguson says that Newcastle are a ’strange’ club. I guess he can’t liken ABZ to NCL but there are similarities. If I was a dons fan I would have buried my scarf years ago.
Sitting on all that oil dosh, and they can only get going for two home matches a season against Rangers. What a useless shower they are.
And every rollover against celtc just brings them more into disrepute.
Granted that doesn’t make the fact that he’s worth all that money yet we’re £4million in debt any better to stomach, but Aberdeen FC get no money from oil, except from their sponsors (Apex Tubulars) who I believe are involved in the oil industry.
As for rollovers against Celtic, yes we were humped last week but we were the team to end their 40-odd winning streak at Parkhead a couple of years ago.
Are Rangers really any better? In recent times anyway? When did they last win a trophy?
the thing that really puzzles me, if oil dosh
sheepy Aberdeen is such a bad place to be,
why are there so much glaswegian rangers
supporters living up here??
I would like Bayern v Aberdeen. I thought they already played. I think Bayern will win and that’s the way it is.