Clive Tyldesley fumes ‘it’s orange juice time’ as axed ITV legend bows out with memorable rant
CLIVE TYLDESLEY was left fuming “it’s orange juice time” as the commentator bowed out of ITV with a memorable rant.
The iconic broadcaster, 69, saw his role on the channel come to an end after 28 years with Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark.
ITV made the decision not to renew his contract after the last-16 Euros tie.
But Tyldesley gave it his all as he was joined by Ally McCoist for an eventful evening at Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion.
A dramatic game was halted in the first half after thunder and lightning threatened the wellbeing of players.
Rain also poured over fans before the game restarted.
And Germany were given a fright moments into the second half as Denmark fired themselves ahead.
However, VAR intervened and ruled out Joachim Andersen’s effort for offside.
The automated graphic showed that he was literally offside by a toe, infuriating fans.
And things got worse for the Crystal Palace defender when, not long after, he gave away a penalty for a harsh handball.
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Andersen was just inches away from the ball as it was blasted at his arm, leaving McCoist enraged as Kai Havertz slotted home the spot-kick.
And Tyldesley also laid into the decision with a brilliant rant about orange juice on his final ITV outing.
He declared: “The handball rule should be written for the whole game, not for VAR.
“Don’t force a schoolteacher to tell a nine-year-old boy or girl that their body silhouette was unnatural.
“There’s no snickometer on the playing field. It’s orange juice time. Rip it up and start again.”
Germany put the game to bed soon after the controversial penalty with a fine strike from Jamal Musiala.
And the 2-0 result marked the end of Tyldesley’s near-three decade career on ITV.
Speaking before kick-off, he expressed his surprise at the company’s decision not to extend his deal.
He said: “I’ve known for five to six weeks.
“The ITV football editor phoned me to tell me I would be going home after the last 16.
“I asked if there would be any other opportunities and he said that ITV would not be offering me another contract and so that will be it after 28 years.
“ITV has been very good for me and my career and I’d like to think I have been good for them.”It’s a shame it’s coming to an end but it’s a matter of opinion and their opinion is that this is the right call.
“I don’t know why they think that. I’ve never fully understood but I have to accept it. I still think my work is strong enough to resonate with old and young.”
Tyldesley will continue commentating for American broadcaster CBS Sports on Champions League nights.
He added: “I think I am still at a level where I can commentate as well as I ever did.
“I am conscious that that won’t last for ever. For personal pride and vanity I don’t want my levels to slip. If and when that happens I hope I’ll be first to see it and react accordingly but I think I can still do it.
“I don’t wasn’t to use the word frustration, because I’m not particularly frustrated but this was not my decision.”