ITV delivers feisty start to World Cup coverage – and taunts BBC from glitzy studio

Mark Pougatch acknowledged the controversies surrounding the tournament, while capturing the excitement of football fans Don’t mention the war. Mark Pougatch mentioned it, right at the start of ITV’s World Cup coverage, but I think he got away with it. He also, to his credit, highlighted the outrageous ticket prices , as well as the disgraceful treatment of the teams, fans and officials who now find themselves persona non grata in the US. Even Donald J Trump, the first (and quite possibly last) holder of the Fifa Peace Prize , got a mention. Pougatch also gave a visibly emotional Ian Wright th

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