England’s chances of winning Euro 2024 could be under threat – thanks to the curse of ITV.
The Three Lions’ last five eliminations from major tournaments all have one thing in common – each was screened by the same channel. According to FourFourTwo magazine, since 1998, England has a win ratio of just 27% in 30 tournament matches the broadcaster has shown live.
Gareth Southgate’s boys have won eight, drawn 10 and lost 12 ITV games. But England has a 70% win ratio in 27 matches screened by the BBC – securing victory 19 times, drawing once and losing just seven.
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This summer, the Beeb will show England’s first two group games against Serbia and Denmark, with ITV taking over the third against Slovenia. Even if the Three Lions lose that, they would still have enough points to progress to the knockout stages if they win the first two.
But ITV has the rights to show some of the remaining knockout matches – including a possible last-16 tie and the semi-final. FourFourTwo warned fans: “ITV screened the group stage defeat to Uruguay that knocked England out of the 2014 World Cup plus the Euro 2016 humiliation against Iceland, the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia and the 2022 World Cup loss to France.
(Image: PA)
“Both BBC and ITV showed the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy – the ITV curse is stronger than the BBC good luck charm, it seems. So expect Gareth Southgate’s side to get off to a flying start before it all comes crashing down in the third against Slovenia on ITV.
“If that doesn’t fatally wound them the Three Lions would have to run an ITV gauntlet for almost the entire knockout phase. The channel have the rights to show England in the last 16 and the semi-final before sharing the final with the BBC again if they get that far.
“Good luck lads. You’ll need it.’’
(Image: PA)
After England’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat by France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, angry fans called for ITV – which exclusively screened the game – to be banned from broadcasting any more Three Lions matches. Telly presenter Terry Christian, 63, tweeted during the match: “Decisions going against England. It’s the ITV curse I tell ya.’’
Another fan posted: “A friendly reminder of the Curse of ITV. Since 1998, @England men’s team record of playing live on channels: ITV: Won 7/29 (24% win rate) BBC: Won 19/27 (70% win rate).’’ One more wrote: “Petition to ban ITV from broadcasting any of England’s major tournament matches.’’
ITV had not responded to a request for comment last night.