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BLUES 'FORCE BEEB OFF AIR'

Chelsea security guard interrupts live BBC broadcast on sex abuse scandal engulfing club

The man interrupted reporter Sophie Long mid-report to tell her she couldn't carry on filming

compoiste broadcast shutdown

THIS is the moment a BBC reporter was interrupted during a live broadcast about the abuse scandal at Chelsea — by the club's stadium security staff. 

BBC journalist Sophie Long was on air when a security guard outside the team's Stamford Bridge stadium walked directly behind her to assess the situation.

 Awkward interruption ... Sophie Long's broadcast on Chelsea F.C. sex abuse cover-up was cut short by insistent security guard
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Awkward interruption ... Sophie Long's broadcast on Chelsea F.C. sex abuse cover-up was cut short by insistent security guardCredit: BBC News

At the beginning of the footage, Long can be heard explaining the alleged sex abuse scandal.

She says: "It's been reported that Chelsea paid Gary Johnson £50,000 to keep quiet about allegations of abuse."

At this point in the clip, the security guard can heard saying, "excuse me" three times, before disappearing from the frame.

Long pays him no attention, carrying on with the script in front of her.


She says: "Today the club said that external solicitors would now look at the club and how it handled his case, and included the confidentiality clause in its settlement with them."

But the guard returns moments later to stop the live broadcast, at which point Long attempts to put him in his place.

She reminds him: "Sorry, one second sir, we're live on the news."

He replies: "I appreciate that, but you're on private property, I'm sorry."

 Long's attempts to remind the guard 'we're live on the news' failed, and the programme abruptly cut back to the studio
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Long's attempts to remind the guard 'we're live on the news' failed, and the programme abruptly cut back to the studioCredit: BBC News

The report ends abruptly here, cutting back to the studio, where the news anchor apologised.

Clearly confused, she composes herself and says: "Sorry for that interruption."

Viewers have reacted angrily to the interruption on social media.

Billy Lunn commented: "Good old Chelsea. Remaining the bastion of moral conduct in every aspect of the game..."

RedDevils1999 described the club as "disgraceful" in a tweet: "Horrible club. Sweep every controversy under the carpet."

Ray Chuss slammed Chelsea when he wrote: "PR team need to answer why they sent a parking attendant to do their dirty work, a total disgrace."

And Kevin McCready poked fun at the situation: "Covering up the cover of the cover up."

Gary Johnson revealed he sexually abused by the club's former chief scout, Eddie Heath.

Johnson waived his anonymity to say he was paid £50,000 by the Premier League club so he wouldn't go forward with the abuse allegations.

Johnson told the : "Millions of fans around the world watch Chelsea.

";All their fans deserve to know the truth about what went on.

 Taken aback ... Long looked visibly shocked when the security worker told her she couldn't continue filming
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Taken aback ... Long looked visibly shocked when the security worker told her she couldn't continue filmingCredit: BBC News

"I know they asked me to sign a gagging order, and how many others are there?"

The football club has issued a grovelling apology to Johnson in the wake of his claims.

A statement from chiefs said the former player had "suffered unacceptably".

Chelsea added that it had "no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view".

The BBC declined to comment on the broadcast, and Chelsea F.C. did not immediately respond to The Sun's request for comment.


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