Jonathan Pearce asks ‘was I on air’ in panicked audio during World Cup anthems

BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce was involved in a blunder during their Women's World Cup coverage.

Pearce was behind the microphone as France faced Morocco in the final round-of-16 clash on Tuesday (August 8). All seemed well after presenter Alex Scott handed over to him.

"Thank you Alex, afternoon everybody," the 63-year-old veteran began. "So this will complete the quarter-final jigsaw, the hosts Australia are watching with keen interest.

"They play the winners. The whole of African women's football is up for this, no team from the continent has even won a World Cup knockout match or scored since 1999, and here come the anthems."

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It was at that point the problems arose, with viewers still able to hear Pearce speaking very quietly as the French players started singing La Marseillaise.

You could just about make out him asking: "Was I on air then? Ok, can someone tell me was I on air then?"

Some more mumbled audio followed before his microphone cut for good, just in time for the Morocco national anthem.

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Beeb viewers took to Twitter to post about the moment, with one joking: "Quite a unique rendition of the French national anthem featuring Jonathan Pearce."

Another similarly quipped: "I've always felt what the French national anthem was missing was Jonathan Pearce muttering in the background."

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A third fumed: "Someone tell Jonathan Pearce it’s disrespectful to speak during a national anthem @BBCSport!" And a fourth suggested: "Someone needs to tell Jonathan Pearce his mic is still on."

As for the action on the pitch, France cruised into the last eight of the tournament with goals from Kadidiatou Diani, Kenza Dali and Eugenie Le Sommer (two) securing a 4-0 win.

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