Commentator in hot water after referee jibe

Wednesday night’s Teeline Cup match was rocked by controversy off the pitch with the likelihood of a libel suit being slapped on a television commentator by the enraged referee.

Jeremy Loudmouth, the ex-England international, often never far away from a ‘scrap’, told a record worldwide audience that the referee Anthony Harcourt “only wanted to get his name etched in record books for being the first referee to call a penalty in Teeline Cup history.”

He was referring to an incident in the ninth minute into the second half. Print FC defender Kanishkaa Balachandran tried to intercept a kick from the midfield, only to find himself inside the box. The foul was reported contemporaneously and the defender readily admitted his mistake without dispute.

There was enough evidence to suggest that Harcourt’s adjudication was fair and accurate. The overhead blimp camera confirmed that Kanishkaa was at least 3 feet inside the box when he made contact.

But Loudmouth suggested that Harcourt only had ‘personal glorification’ in mind. The referee was ‘hot under the collar’ when later informed of the jibe and told the Teeline Cup’s official website that he would “seriously pursue damages.”

“I face the prospect of being disparaged by my peers and shunned by right, left and straight thinking members of the society,” a seething Harcourt said. “I will leave no stone unturned to see that justice will be done.”

It would be hard for Loudmouth to rest on the defence of justification or fair comment, considering that Harcourt complied with the laws. Besides, Print coach Carl also has a shorthand note of his comments, which could be key evidence if she testifies.

Luke Hanna QC, the tournament’s chief legal brain, stopped short of confirming a formal libel suit.

“Let me remind you all, gentlemen,” Hanna told a media mob outside his Regent Street office, “that this case is not yet ‘active’ so anything you publish now could create a substantial risk of serious prejudice.” He vanished before one of the journalists could read out Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

It was a comprehensive 8-5 come-from-behind win for Print FC. However, it was a forgettable day in the office for Kanishkaa. The 28-year-old Indian import, who was described by a leading journalist as a “floating red shirt who occasionally touches the ball”, conceded two goals, before fouling. Broadcast's Arya Yuyutsu, whose shoelaces refused to cooperate for most part, somehow netted the penalty kick.