‘Said it off air’: Micah Richards accuses BBC World Cup host of breaking rule live on TV | Football | Sport

Micah Richards couldn’t hide his embarrassment after Mark Chapman threw him under the bus during Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final with Croatia. The ex-Manchester City defender jokingly accused the presenter of breaking an unwritten punditry rule by bringing up comments he made off-air following the full-time whistle.

With the scores level at 0-0 after 90 minutes, Chapman said: “Croatia have won all three of their World Cup penalty shootouts, Brazil have won three of their four, the only defeat back in 1984 against the French. You [Richards] want it to go to penalties already don’t you? Revel in someone else’s heartache?”

Richards was almost offended, replying with a smile: “Chappers, what we say off air stays off air. Why are you bringing it onto air please?”

Chapman then mocked his colleagueue, responding: “There’s a lot more things off air that I could bring on but I won’t do that.”

To which Richards then added: “The people at home would like a penalty shootout – that’s all I’m saying.”

Former England international Richards was not wrong but hope of another penalty shootout was quickly shot down by Neymar as the Paris Saint-Germain superstar finally broke the deadlock in the 105th minute.

READ MORE: Neymar penalty plot backfires as Croatia punish Brazil complacency in World Cup thriller

Zlatko Dalic’s side scored all four of their penalties while Brazil missed their opening spot-kick when Rodrygo’s effort was saved.

When the pressure was on, Marquinhos of PSG also fluffed his lines by hitting the post to break Brazilian hearts.

Croatia have now mastered the knack of winning after extra-time after also battling past Japan on penalties earlier in the week.

They will now face Netherlands or Argentina in the semi-finals on Tuesday for a place in their second successive final.