Tottenham submit official complaint to Premier League over Arsenal footage
Broadcasters covering matches sometimes find themselves drawn into the atmosphere around the ground. A video shared online can travel quickly and reach audiences far beyond those who originally saw it. Clubs monitor such content when they feel it crosses a line of professionalism.
The north London rivalry has produced many moments that spill beyond the pitch itself. Supporters on both sides trade chants that have become familiar over decades. Media personnel operating in that environment are expected to maintain a degree of detachment.
When a clip involving a journalist surfaces, governing bodies can become involved if a formal complaint is made. Discussions then take place between the club, the league and the broadcaster involved. Outcomes can range from an apology to changes in access.
Tottenham Hotspur have lodged a formal complaint to the Premier League about a video that surfaced online. Spurs are reported to have taken issue with a video from ESPN Brazil reporter Joao Castelo-Branco, who could be seen joining in with chants alongside Arsenal fans.
According to a report in The Times, Tottenham have lodged a complaint to the Premier League about the video, which saw Castelo-Branco joining in with chants that called Spurs “s***”.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW.ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS!
The video also featured a chant in which Castelo-Branco and Arsenal supporters sung about how much they “hate” Tottenham. As a result, as part of their complaint, the report states that Tottenham have stressed to the Premier League that they no longer believe it is appropriate for Castelo-Branco to cover their games for ESPN Brazil.
It has also been stated that Tottenham do not want to stop ESPN Brazil from covering their matches in the Premier League, despite issuing a complaint.
Castelo-Branco issued an apology following the video, which was taken down after Tottenham first expressed their dissatisfaction with its content.
“I wanted to apologise to the club for the video I recorded with Arsenal fans in Brazil singing a derogatory chant about Tottenham Hotspur Football Club,” Castelo-Branco told The Times. “Given my role as a correspondent in the UK I feel I made a mistake,” he added. “The video was posted on the podcast Instagram page and reproduced on my personal page.”
Castelo-Branco went on: “I understand it can be offensive to Spurs and Spurs fans and I should have thought more about singing that and the reach it could have. ESPN was notified by the Premier League about Tottenham seeing and disliking the post and we agreed to delete it. “Hopefully we can move on and I will rethink and be more careful with the boundaries of having that persona on the podcast.”
Castelo-Branco is reported to have sent an email to Tottenham offering an apology, and also attended an online meeting alongside ESPN and the Premier League. The Premier League are reported to be holding talks with Tottenham and ESPN Brazil to resolve the dispute.
This weekend will see Tottenham return to Premier League action for the final time before the November international break is in full swing, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side travelling to face Leeds United at Elland Road. The incident highlights the expectations placed on journalists covering the rivalry. Arsenal supporters featured in the original video, which has since been removed. Talks continue between the parties involved.