Roy Keane admits ‘tension’ between BBC and ITV ahead of the World Cup

Roy Keane believes it is positive to have ‘a bit of tension’ between BBC and ITV’s World Cup punditry teams ahead of the tournament.

Keane is among ITV’s highest profile pundits for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 54-year-old will be working with the broadcaster for a third successive World Cup, with the former Man United captain typically offering a no-nonsense approach when airing his views.

ITV’s punditry line-up also includes Keane’s former team-mate Gary Neville, who he works alongside at Sky Sports, as well as Ian Wright and his old-adversary Patrick Vieira.

Micah Richards, who also works with Keane on Sky Sports during the Premier League season, is among the BBC’s punditry line-up that also includes Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney.

Speaking to Richards in Sky Bet’s World Cup mini-series, Road To America, Keane acknowledged a rivalry exists between the punditry teams.

Roy Keane has claimed a ‘bit of tension’ is good as he acknowledged a rivalry between the BBC and ITV’s punditry teams for the World Cup 

Keane will be one of the leading pundits on ITV’s coverage of this summer’s World Cup

‘The rivalry between the BBC and ITV pundits is a bit strange, but I think it’s good that there’s a bit of tension,’ Keane said.

‘I think you need a bit of competition. Let’s not kid ourselves, there is definitely tension. Even from pundits who work with other pundits.

‘The BBC might have the younger pundits, but they’re two completely different shows.

‘The people who work for the BBC and ITV in the background, they are about numbers, and maybe that filters through to the pundits.’

Richards suggested to Keane that he is viewed as a fan favourite pundit, due to offering searingly honest opinions on the game and players.

Keane recently became involved in a spat with Man United captain Bruno Fernandes, after he suggested the midfielder had been deliberately passing, rather than shooting, to help him break the Premier League assists record.

This led to Fernandes labelling Keane a ‘liar’ and admitted he sought out his rival’s number to ‘have a word with him’ in the wake of misplaced criticism.

Addressing his punditry approach to Richards, Keane said: ‘When it comes to punditry, it’s a bit like when I was a player. I always remember saying that I needed to control the ball, pass it and move, and I’d have the basic things to go back to, and I try to do the same with punditry. 

Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney are among the BBC’s punditry team for the World Cup

‘I turn up on time, be respectful to the people I’m working with – the other pundits and the people in the background – I give my opinion on something, and whether it’s right or wrong, it doesn’t matter.

‘As I’m an ex-player and an ex-manager, I think my opinion carries a little bit of weight. Not that people have to agree with me.’

Keane will join ITV’s punditry team in Brooklyn, with the broadcaster opting to be based in New York throughout the duration of the World Cup.

The ITV team punditry team is completed by Karen Carney, Ange Postecoglou, Juan Mata, Emma Hayes, Duncan Ferguson, Jobi McAnuff and Bradley Wright-Phillips.

The BBC, however, will be based at their Salford HQ until the quarter-final stage given the high travel and accommodation costs in the host countries. 

Former Tottenham and Brentford boss Thomas Frank will be part of the BBC’s punditry team, along with Joe Hart, Theo Walcott, Sue Smith, Ellen White, Conor Coady and Gael Clichy.

The most eye-catching additions for the channel are former Premier League stars Olivier Giroud, Cesar Azpilicueta, Benni McCarthy and Lucas Leiva, with the quartet expected to add global insight and international edge.

Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will present the BBC’s coverage during the tournament, replacing Gary Lineker.

All 104 World Cup matches will be available on free-to-air TV in the UK, with the games split between BBC and ITV.

ITV will have England’s first and final group matches against Croatia and Panama respectively, with the BBC to show the second match against Ghana.

The BBC will also broadcast the last-32, last-16 and semi-final ties if the Three Lions make it that far.

ITV will have the quarter-final and both channels are set to show the final.

ITV1’s World Cup coverage starts on Thursday at 6.15pm before the opening game between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.

The BBC’s coverage begins on Friday at 7pm, when another co-host Canada takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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