As Irish fans celebrated Conor McGregor’s in Las Vegas at the weekend, the BBC decided they wanted to join the party.
They posted a report on the fight online, where they described Dubliner McGregor as “the first UFC champion from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland”.
Eh, what?
The bizarre attempt to link the fighter with the United Kingdom did not go down well with Irish fans.
Anyone see this from the BBC on McGregor? Wouldn't be like the lads to claim things that's not theirs #UFC189 pic.twitter.com/2KZU2olowc
— Boylesports (@BoyleSports) July 12, 2015
Or, you know, just Ireland. Given that that's *actually* where he's from… pic.twitter.com/9W3MVGY5zC
— Michelle Mc Mahon (@McMahonMichelle) July 12, 2015
Dear @BBCSport just a reminder that Conor McGregor is from Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland and NOT from the United Kingdom. Thank you.
— Willie Conlon (@WillieC1888) July 12, 2015
Not cool bbc. http://t.co/LEHHPsvMAz. #ufc #McGregor
— Yvonne Redmond (@yvonne_UTV) July 13, 2015
As several commentators pointed out, McGregor isn’t exactly coy about his nationality – anyone watching the match would be very clear on where he is from.
BBC confused Conor McGregor as their own? Must've been that whole draped in a tri-colour entering to Sinead O'Connor singing 'The Foggy Dew'
— Ryan Cullen (@RyanCullen90) July 12, 2015
@conor_pope @BryanJOBrien @BBCSport He was wrapped in an Irish flag, NOT a British one!
— manuela dg (@knittymanu) July 12, 2015
easy mistake for the BBC to pin McGregor as being from the UK. All those green, white and orange british flags causing confusion obviously
— trashbaby (@Shuggana) July 12, 2015
The BBC haven’t taken the reference down, but have rewritten it several times. Their first amendment changed it to “from the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland”.
They eventually settled on “from the Republic of Ireland or United Kingdom”, which does at least put the country he is actually from first.
Seriously though lads, you’re embarrassing yourselves.
I see the BBC have claimed McGregor as their own already. I thought we discussed taking things that's not yours lads? pic.twitter.com/PPHfrSvITa
— Cian Carroll (@CianByName) July 12, 2015