Sky Sports were forced to issue an immediate apology just moments into the Carabao Cup final after an X-rated remark from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was picked up by microphones.
As the holders, Liverpool, faced off against Newcastle at Wembley, the match began with the customary pre-match handshakes and national anthems. Afterward, Van Dijk gathered his teammates into a huddle before kick-off.
Cameras zoomed in on the Dutchman and his squad, and the microphones picked up his passionate rallying cry to the team: “We worked so hard to be here. Let’s f***ing do this together. Come on!”
Viewers immediately caught the swearing, and within seconds of the final beginning, commentator Peter Drury had to start his broadcast with an apology for the colorful language.
Van Dijk was the matchwinner in last season’s Carabao Cup final, scoring the only goal of the game in extra time against Chelsea, making his words all the more memorable.
The passionate speech from the Liverpool captain quickly generated reactions on social media. One fan on X commented: “Sky/ITV decided to do a close-up of the Liverpool team huddle, and the following was clearly audible: Virgil van Dijk: ‘We worked so hard to be here. Let’s f***ing do this.’ They immediately put up a ‘We apologise for the bad language sign.’”
Another added, “They’ve moved the camera too close to Liverpool’s team huddle, now kids all around the world get to hear Van Dijk shouting, ‘Let’s f***ing do it together!’”
One fan questioned the decision to show the huddle, saying, “Sky apologising for Van Dijk swearing when the cameraman is in the middle of the team huddle seconds before a cup final is up there with the most ridiculous things I’ve seen for a while.”
Others expressed similar views, with some criticizing the apology itself. One user said, “Sky apologising for Van Dijk swearing in the huddle. The game has gone,” while another wrote, “Sky Sports regretting filming the team huddle there after Van Dijk just swore.”
Liverpool, who have won the League Cup a record 10 times, were hoping for another triumph, while Newcastle, who last lifted the trophy in 1955, were aiming to secure their first major silverware in decades.
