The news centers around an apology issued by Amazon Prime to Liverpool manager Arne Slot, following a mistake during their coverage of Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Newcastle United. The incident involved a misunderstanding related to Slot’s interaction with the match officials during the game.
During the match at St. James’ Park on Wednesday, Liverpool dropped two crucial points after a dramatic finish, with Newcastle’s Fabian Schar scoring a late equaliser, capitalizing on a mistake by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. The match had seen Newcastle twice take the lead, only for Mohamed Salah to level things up for Liverpool.
After the match, Amazon Prime presenter Dan Walker mentioned that Arne Slot, who was not involved directly in the game but had been referenced for his managerial role with Liverpool, had visited the referee’s room at half-time. This claim was picked up by viewers and raised eyebrows, especially in light of the game’s controversial moments. Specifically, referee Andrew Madley received criticism for blowing the final whistle while Newcastle appeared to be on the brink of a counter-attack in the final seconds.
Newcastle’s manager, Eddie Howe, chose not to comment on the referee’s decisions, indicating that discussing it might open a “can of worms.”
In response to Amazon Prime’s initial reporting, Slot clarified that he had only spoken with the referee in the tunnel at halftime, not in the officials’ room as suggested. After this, Amazon Prime issued a formal apology, acknowledging the error and attributing it to a production misunderstanding. They contacted Slot directly to express their regret over the misrepresentation.
This issue comes on the heels of Liverpool’s disappointing draw, which has reduced their lead at the top of the Premier League to just seven points. The team will now look to regain momentum when they face Everton in a Merseyside derby this weekend.
The correction and apology from Amazon Prime highlight the importance of accuracy in sports reporting, especially regarding the conduct of team staff and referees.