Fox Sports was forced to defend its coverage of the crucial US-Uruguay game at the Copa America after TV viewers expressed outrage at the camera angle used on the broadcast.
The game, which took place at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, was vital for the US’ chances of progression to the tournament’s knockout stage and considering its high stakes, a widespread audience was expected for the contest.
But viewers were left unimpressed with the camera angle with many questioning the position of the main broadcast camera before it switched at the end of the first half.
Fox Sports are the lead English-speaking broadcaster in the US with play-by-play commentator John Strong and color commentator Stuart Holden feeling compelled to explain the state of the feed to its viewers.
All TV broadcasts run through the world feed and general taping is controlled by the tournament’s organizers, CONMEBOL, which makes it nearly impossible for networks to have an influence on the content displayed on the screen of viewers.
Soccer fans were stunned with the camera angle used during the broadcast of US-Uruguay
TyC Sports, the host broadcaster in Argentina, for example, also showed the same feed of the game.
‘This is not a stadium for ants,’ Holden pointed out. ‘This is a very high camera for the CONMBEOL world feed.’
According to The Athletic, ‘furious’ Fox Sports producers immediately expressed their frustration on the phone with HBS and Copa officials shortly after kickoff.
During the game, fans immediately took to social media – and some even claimed that the ‘bulls***’ angle was ‘making their heads hurt.’
ESPN soccer reporter Herculez Gomez was among the critics of the high angle, telling his 268,000 followers: ‘This camera angle is going to make me throw up. Wowzers!’
Barstool Sports podcaster Francesca Mariano wrote to her 200,000 followers: ‘I can’t believe how bad this camera angle is. Borderline unwatchable. Ants running around!’
On social media user added: ‘This better not be the camera angle the whole time,’ while one USA fan wrote: ‘FOX continue to find new ways to disappoint.’
Live shot of the cameraman,’ a user posted on X, including a shot of an astronaut in space.
One fan joked it was as though TV viewers were watching from a helicopter above the stadium
Social media gave a shoutout to Fox Sports for listening to the criticism of the camera angle
‘Absolute trash and embarrassing,’ another person said.
‘@CopaAmerica should let professionals do the cameras,’ someone else shared.
Previous MLS games, including Inter Miami-Sporting Kansas City in April, were not shown on TV with the same camera angle.
CONMBEOL has yet to publicly comment on the matter.