Fantasy Football Dodges Ofcom Over Complaints
ITV’s Fantasy Football has escaped censure from media super-regulator Ofcom following a series of complaints concerning the series’ sexual content and references to the nationalities and religions of presenters and guests.
The series, hosted by David Baddiel and Frank Skinner and following this year’s European Championships, was criticised by viewers for its depiction of England coach Sven Goran Ericsson and Nancy Del’Olio having sex while England lost to France.
Viewers felt the images were too explicit, particularly as the programme followed the England game, and some children would have been allowed to stay up. Eight viewers also complained about David Baddiel’s comment that, as a Jew, he was “frightened” as there were Germans in the audience.
Viewers complained that the presenter was making light of the Holocaust, as well as suggesting that Germans were anti-Semitic. Viewers claimed that Baddiel’s statement was unfair and racist, stating that they were offended that such xenophobic sentiment was linked to supporting the England team.
Similarly, 10 viewers complained about a separate programme in which Ray Houghton was asked to prove he was Irish. Viewers stated that they were offended by the stereotyped portrayal of Irish people. In particular, they objected to the inclusion of a person apparently intended to represent a gunman.
However, makers of the programme, Channel Television, said that in the ‘Sven and Nancy’ sketch, both Skinner and Baddiel were decently clothed, and the overall effect was ludicrous rather than lewd or erotic. While the broadcaster acknowledged that a certain number of children were still watching, the game was played on a Sunday night in term-time.
The programme maker also pointed out that a continuity announcement before the programme had warned viewers to expect some strong language, indicating to parents that the programme was unsuitable for younger viewers.
The broadcaster also stated that the Germans in the programme’s audience were fully aware of the likely content of the show and took part willingly in the light-hearted banter. Likewise, Channel stated that Ray Houghton was very happy to participate in the programme and found the sketch to be very funny. The broadcaster stated that no malice was intended and the overall effect was ludicrous.
Ofcom stated that the programmes were not in breach of any guidelines, and while some viewers were obviously surprised by the ‘Sven and Nancy’ sketch, the programme did not begin until over half an hour after the match itself finished. BARB figures show that the child audience had reduced from 2.5million at 21:30 to 0.6 million at 21:55 and although the warning preceding the programme could have been clearer it should have alerted viewers to the type of content likely to follow.
In reference to the programmes’ alleged xenophobic content, Ofcom stated that the German supporters in the audience on 15 June had contacted the production team prior to broadcast to take part and were aware of the likely tone of the programme. The watchdog also assured that they had willingly taken part in the programme and accepted Baddiel’s comments in good spirit.
The regulator also stated that the Irish paramilitary figure in the programme of 27 June was played by the programme’s producer, himself a Dubliner. The watchdog stated that: “Although we acknowledge that the humour would not be shared by all viewers, we believe that it was not intended to be malicious or offensive.”
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