BBC Sport have faced backlash for discrediting Senegal
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has faced backlash on social media for using a headline that tends to undermine Senegal and African teams after they defeated England in an international friendly.
Senegal thrashed The Three Lions 3-1 in a friendly game in England on June 10, 2025, in an enthralling encounter.
Harry Kane broke the deadlock in the 11th minute as they pressed for the opener from the start of the game.
However, Senegal came back into the match with goals from Ismaila Sarr, Cheikh Sabaly, and Habib Diarra, giving them a convincing 3-1 win and making history as the first African side to defeat England.
In the post-match report, the BBC shared a post of the match scoreline on their X page with the caption “England have been beaten by an African side for the first time EVER.”
In response, some football fans described the post as racist, arguing it seeks to underestimate the potency of African football and devalue it to the global audience.
Others were peeved that the BBC journalist failed to mention the team but rather referred to it as ‘an African side’, adding that it’s a disrespect to the country and the continent.
Read the comments below
This headline is racist and diminished the African football ⚽️ why would a world media say this? 😥
— KingDavFX (MMXM, AMD🔑)🇨🇩 (@KingDavFX) June 11, 2025
That’s so disrespectful England don’t have a god given right. You also forfeit to say “well beaten”
— Hector McNeil (@Hector_McNeil) June 10, 2025
You must have the courage to give the name of the “ African side “ you mentioned. Of course it is Senegal 🇸🇳 . If we take our African side players PL will lose its level so respect.
— Black Dragon 🇸🇳🇯🇵 (@Wushu_Coach) June 11, 2025
This headline is problematic !!! 🤦♂️ Coincidentally ,CNN were using the exact words yesterday ‘ ‘ on their bulletin 🤣🤣🤣
Our AFCON champions can beat anyone !! 💪💪
— Wex (@wex_busta) June 11, 2025
Sheit headlines. Should read.
Senegal beat England by 3 – 1.
This is about sport (football not about England)— empireT (@EmpireTDlu) June 11, 2025
Well be reminded that the best players in the so called European leagues are from the Africa you’re underrating. Power has changed hands and get ready for more shocking results. Morocco started this in Qatar 2022.
— Mr Dynamic (@Dynamic_cliff) June 10, 2025
The caption denotes your thinking that African countries are inferior. BBC is just an insane institution
— Citizen Dhehwa🇿🇼 (@tinomabwe) June 11, 2025
@BBCSport “Beaten by an African side for the first time EVER” -this headline is disrespectful to Senegal, who are AFCON champions & a world-class team.The shock tone implies African teams are supposed to lose to England (who barely scrapped past a 153rd placed Andorra).Do better!
— Maxwell (@maximisingvalue) June 11, 2025
SB/EB
Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with former Hearts of Oak midfielder Frederick Ansah Botchway
