A game of two halves, one cup: Porn plays in BBC studio before Wolves vs Liverpool FA Cup tie

BBC's Gary Lineker with the source of the problem, inset
BBC's Gary Lineker with the source of the problem, inset (Image credit: BBC / Gary Lineker)

When Ruud Gullit coined the term "sexy football", this isn't what he had in mind.

Shocked BBC viewers were treated to a phwoar-nil before a ball had even been kicked on Tuesday night.

The sound of someone scoring played over presenter Gary Lineker's introduction of commentator Alan Shearer before Wolves took on Liverpool in the FA Cup.

An X-rated porno soundtrack seemed to be emanating from the BBC Match of the Day Live studio, with a bemused Lineker holding back giggles as he struggled to make himself heard.

"I don't know who's making that noise," Lineker said, as he looked around confused.

Speaking to Shearer, stationed in the commentary gantry, he continued: "Alan, it's toasty in the studio. It's noisy, too – I don't know if someone's sending something on someone's phone..."

After a brief pause, the embarrassing noise continued, playing over the pair's conversation before the definitely pre-watershed 7.45pm kick-off.

Eventually, the culprit was identified – albeit off-screen.

Shortly after kick-off, Lineker tweeted out a photo of a cheap-looking mobile phone covered in sticky tape.

"Well, we found this taped to the back of the set," the former England striker said. "As sabotage goes it was quite amusing."

It seems it was a sophisticated booby-trap, with a true-blue smut supporter somehow playing a filthy film at full-volume down the line.

Twitter users were unsurprisingly delighted with the raunchy gag, with football journalist Si Lloyd tweeting that he had been "genuinely worried Danny Murphy was having the time of his life out of shot".

Conor Pope
Online Editor

Conor Pope is the former Online Editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing all digital content. He plays football regularly, and has a large, discerning and ever-growing collection of football shirts from around the world.

He supports Blackburn Rovers and holds a season ticket with south London non-league side Dulwich Hamlet. His main football passions include Tugay, the San Siro and only using a winter ball when it snows.

Read more
English footballers Jamie Redknapp, Mark Wright, Steve McManaman, Ian Rush, John Barnes and Robbie Fowler of Liverpool FC record a cup final song/single ahead of the 1996 FA Cup Final UK, 18th April 1996.
‘Fowler and McManaman were both worse singers than me – disgusting voices. They would have got a buzzer straight away from Simon Cowell’: Neil Ruddock on an iconic Liverpool team trip to the recording studio
Oliveirense
Waterlogged Portuguese league game saved by genius move to re-draw goal line with milk
Musician Rod Stewart (R) is interviewed by Peter Schmeichel (L) on CBS Sport prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and FC Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland
'I've had a few' Rod Stewart's pitchside interview on CBS with Peter Schmeichel, Kate Scott, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah 'big knees' Richards was a breath of fresh air and proves the US audience are having more fun than us in the UK
Lee Sharpe, Eric Cantona
‘Pallister had a cracking voice, but Parker, Keane and Irwin were hating it. All of the other lads were shuffling to the back, so I took the pressure off them’: Lee Sharpe recalls recording Man United's No.1 single
Myles Lewis-Skelly
JULES BREACH: Football should champion personalities in the game and embrace the humour and mischief of goal celebrations - not punish them
England team hold a training session at their training ground in Pula, Sardinia ahead of their World Cup Group F opening fixture against Republic of Ireland. Picture: England players Paul Gascoigne and John Barnes. 28th May 1990 (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
WATCH: Gazza attempts World in Motion rap made famous by John Barnes
Latest in Stories
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
Latest in News
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report