Fans claim the ‘game is gone’ after seeing what happened during half-time of Leyton Orient vs Man City game

Leyton Orient captain Dan Happe took part in a controversial half-time interview during their FA Cup fourth round clash against Manchester City.

Richie Wellens' side, who currently sit seventh in League One, took an unexpected lead at Brisbane Road when Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley spotted Stefan Ortega off his line from 50 yards out.

Donley let fly and Ortega tried his best to backtrack, but the ball hit the crossbar before hitting the goalkeeper and into the net as thousands of Orient fans celebrated a historic FA Cup moment.

To their credit, Wellens' side went on to defend their slender lead against Premier League champions Manchester City, going into the break with a one goal advantage.

And moments after referee Darren Bond blew his whistle for half-time, Orient defender Happe was asked for his thoughts on what happened during the opening 45 minutes in an interview with the BBC.

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the scenes.

One said: "Dan Happe getting interviewed at half time on the BBC. Does the manager not want him in the dressing room?" and another wrote: "Half time match interviews isn't football."

A third commented: "Half time interviews with players on the pitch before they’ve even had a chance to get down the tunnel. Get in the bin."

A fourth wrote: "Why do the BBC believe its appropriate to interview the captain of the lower division team even before he's got off the pitch at half time. Try f*****g doing that to the City captain or Guardiola. The disrespect is unbelievable."

A fifth added: "What the f*** is this half-time interview about by @BBCSport leave the f*****g players alone while they're playing. That was ridiculous."

A players interview at Half Time 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Ft4wMfOBIJ

— Scott Butler 👹 (@SButz7) February 8, 2025

Away from the FA Cup and half-time interviews were proposed by the Premier League earlier this season as part of several planned broadcasting changes.

Back in November, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler gave a half-time interview live on Sky Sports during his side's Premier League clash with Manchester City.

According to the Daily Mail, the Premier League sent a list of three initiatives for its 20 clubs to review earlier this season.

It was claimed that broadcasters would be able to pick from a list of five players or coaches picked by the club, and would ask no more than three 'positive' questions during the course of the short interview.

The report added that plans were in place for the initiative to be brought in from next season onwards, but it appears that those plans have been brought forward or are being implemented on a trial basis.

Thoughts on the idea of a half-time interview during games? Let us know in the comments.