ITV apologise after Tyson Fury swears live on early Soccer Aid coverage

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Evening Standard

·15 June 2025

ITV apologise after Tyson Fury swears live on early Soccer Aid coverage

Former heavyweight champion roars “we are f*****g Spartans” before England team announcement at Old Trafford

ITV had to apologise after Tyson Fury swore early on their coverage of Soccer Aid 2025.

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The former unified world heavyweight boxing champion is among the biggest names competing in the annual charity football match for UNICEF this year, managing England’s mix of football legends and celebrities alongside Harry Redknapp, Robbie Williams, Vicky McClure, David James and the injured Sam Thompson.

Fury - a lifelong Manchester United fan - could not contain his excitement as he addressed his players in the Old Trafford dressing room ahead of the match on Sunday night, before the England starting lineup was read out in humorous fashion by football management legend Redknapp.

“We are f*****g Spartans!” Fury roared in an attempt to gee up the team.

The expletive came well before the 9pm watershed, leading to an inevitable apology from ITV hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott.

“We do apologise for the swearing,” said former England midfielder Scott. “It’s Tyson, we don’t know what’s going to happen.”

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