Broadcaster Sky Sports issued an apology after 19-year-old Fleetwood defender Conor Haughey used a swear word while explaining his penalty strategy on live television following a dramatic League Cup victory against the Premier League champions at Highbury Stadium.
Haughey entered the last-16 fixture as a substitute and ultimately secured a stunning win for the League Two side after Arsenal were held to a draw and forced into a penalty shootout. Bruno Guimaraes missed his spot-kick, leaving the Northern Irishman to power past Illan Meslier and send the Lancashire club into wild celebrations.
When a Sky Sports reporter asked the teenager about his penalty tactic, the excited player accidentally swore on air. He said, “I don't know - just pick my spot and put it in. Top corner and then just run to f***. We've just beaten the Premier League champions, it just shows how good this team are.”
The interviewer quickly apologized for the expletive. Haughey spoke alongside goalkeeper Jay Lynch, who stopped Guimaraes during the shootout and noted that the squad drew inspiration from Grimsby Town defeating Manchester United last year.
Lynch said, “My voice has gone from organising the defence. The whole team throughout the game was magnificent. To beat the English champions - credit to these lads. We took heart from Grimsby beating Man Utd last year. We kind of compared it. A typical night in Fleetwood. We were expecting a storm, we knew the conditions would be horrible, so we thought it might go in our favour. Amazing for the club, the town. Honestly, it means everything to everyone.”
The encounter featured controversy from the start, enduring a two-minute stoppage due to a drone flying above the venue. Additionally, Arsenal young player Max Dowman received a red card in the final minutes for kicking out at Harrison Neal.
