ITV presenter Mark Pougatch issued an immediate apology after accidentally referring to England football legend Bobby Moore as 'Sir' during the network's coverage of Spain's 2-0 World Cup semi-final win over France on Tuesday night. Moore, who captained England to their only World Cup triumph in 1966, was never knighted before his death from cancer in 1993 at the age of 51.
Pougatch's On-Air Slip-Up
Following a video package previewing England's semi-final against Argentina, Pougatch said: "Harry Kane is desperate to do what Sir Bobby Moore did... Bobby Moore. He should've been Sir Bobby Moore. Sorry! Should have been Sir Bobby shouldn't he? He lifted the World Cup." The error sparked renewed debate about Moore's lack of official recognition.
Campaign for Posthumous Knighthood
Last year, surviving 1966 teammate Sir Geoff Hurst and former England captain Sir David Beckham led a campaign urging the government to posthumously knight Moore. Hurst, now 84, said: "Yes, I scored the goals, but I would argue that the captain of the great sides is always the significant figure. The treatment he received at the end of his career by the hierarchy and his lack of recognition was nothing short of abysmal. Forget about the football for one second, you could argue he should get two knighthoods, one for football and for his phenomenal charity efforts. I can't think of anybody more deserving of a knighthood in football."
Beckham added: "Bobby led his England team to the height of sporting achievement when they won the World Cup. He was a giant of a man, an incredible leader and one of the finest players our country has produced. I am delighted to join so many other great names to support calls for his contribution to be recognised with a knighthood."
Moore's Legacy and England's Current Campaign
Moore made 108 appearances for England between 1962 and 1973, captaining the side in 90 of those matches, including the famous 4-2 Wembley victory over West Germany in the 1966 final. No defender has earned more caps for the Three Lions. Thomas Tuchel's England face reigning world champions Argentina in the second semi-final on Wednesday night, their first meeting in 21 years.
During this World Cup, Hurst compared current captain Harry Kane to Moore, saying: "There are certain people in walks of life whether it's business or football, that emerge from within a group of people who automatically see them as the boss, the captain. In my time it was quite evidently Bobby Moore. And I think Harry Kane is absolutely in that same mould, not just on the field but off the field with all the stuff they do together."
