VIEWERS of BT Sports were delighted with a change to their usual programming last night.
The broadcaster was screening the crunch Premier League title showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Cityzens thrashed the Gunners 4-1 as a brace from Kevin de Bruyne and strikes from John Stones and Erling Haaland delivered a hammer blow to the North London club’s championship chances at the Etihad.
However, those tuning in to the action appeared to be delighted that BT Sport had swapped ex-Prem referee Peter Walton in favour of Mark Clattenburg as the go-to guy for officiating decisions.
After De Bruyne’s early opener, viewers quickly took to Twitter after being surprised when Clattenburg was brought in to discuss it.
“BT Sport have sacked off Peter Walton for Clattenburg. Best news of the week,” declared one.
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Another wrote: “Peter Walton has been binned off BT? Great news.”
While another said: “BT Sport have f***ed Peter Walton off in favour of Mark Clattenburg for the biggest game of the season.”
But not everyone was happy to see the diverse Walton, who Sun Sport has learned was absent due to a long-standing personal engagement, replaced.
One tweeted BT Sport asking: “Mark Clattenburg?! Where’s Peter Walton?”
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As another said: “Excuse me, where is Peter Walton?”
Walton has been BT Sports’ main guy for discussing and analysing officiating decisions for several years.
The 61-year-old refereed games in the Premier League between 2003-2012 as well as the 2008 FA Community Shield.
Walton was also absent for the channel last week as they covered City's Champions League quarter-final second leg away at Bayern Munich.
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