Ofcom receives 750 complaints over ITV World Cup goal gaffe

Ofcom has received more than 750 complaints over a transmission glitch that saw around 1.5 mnillion fans miss England's opening goal in the World Cup tie with the USA, bringing the total number of complaints about ITV's broadcast to almost 6,000. The media regulator has received a total of 773 complaints about the incident which saw an ad aired as Steven Gerrard struck a fourth-minute goal during ITV's high-definition broadcast . ITV said it has received about 5,000 complaints about the incident which it put down to "human error" at transmission supplier Technicolor. Ofcom will now assess the complaints to see if there has been any breach of the broadcasting code. Bookie Paddy Power had taken "less than a dozen" bets at 8/1 on the market that ITV would show an ad during play of any World Cup match. There are not thought to have been any major winners from the glitch, which the Daily Mail insinuated might have been caused deliberately. "We have not ruled anything out but there is nothing to suggest that this is the case," said a spokesman for ITV. Paddy Power has now opened several new markets where punters can bet on another glitch occurring, with lengthened odds on the basis ITV will be running a very tight operation. The bookmaker is offering 20-1 that another ad is aired during play in any match or 50-1 that ITV misses airing another goal. There are even odds on which ad it would be that interrupted play – the glitch on Saturday night saw sponsor Hyundai's ad appear – if there was another transmission problem. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".