Channel Seven has been criticised by the A-League after a member of its camera crew was seen rushing off in the middle of a press conference involving Sydney FC coach Patrick Kisnorbo and defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins.
Kisnorbo and Courtney-Perkins were discussing the club's upcoming friendlies against English Premier League club Chelsea when a Seven representative grabbed their microphone mid-conference and walked away, leaving Courtney-Perkins looking bewildered as the mic was snatched from beneath his face.
Fans quickly reacted online, with one branding the moment proof that "this is why we can't trust our major channels to promote anything in this country." The A-League's social media team poked fun at the incident, joking that Seven's representative was rushing off early to "recut a rugby league promo."
Rugby League World Cup promo backlash
The jibe referenced separate anger among football fans over a Seven promotional video for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, which used footage of Socceroos supporters at Federation Square, marching to Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, and at a watch party in Canada.
Fans on X criticised the choice. "Didn't know Socceroos were playing in the World Cup with majority use of the World Cup and live site footage," one wrote, while another asked, "Where was the Rugby League live site watch along? Really strange thing to do this."
A third fan wrote, "How come this is footage of soccer fans. I mean seriously, wtf??," and another said, "Imagine the desperation to steal footage from other codes."
The Rugby League World Cup officially begins on Thursday, October 15, when Australia faces New Zealand at Allianz Stadium. Channel Seven was approached for comment.
