Joe Hart brands ITV's Bellingham interview 'naughty' ahead of England's World Cup semi-final

Joe Hart has condemned the on-pitch interview ITV Sport conducted with Jude Bellingham after England’s 2-1 World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway at Miami Stadium, calling the line of questioning “naughty” and arguing it left Bellingham feeling unfairly attacked.

Bellingham scored both goals in the quarter-final, including the winner in extra time, but the post-match conversation between ITV reporter Gabriel Clarke and the Real Madrid midfielder drew widespread attention. Clarke had first spoken to manager Thomas Tuchel, who expressed dissatisfaction with England’s overall performance despite the result, before relaying that criticism to Bellingham. The midfielder, fresh from 120 minutes in stifling Florida heat, responded curtly: “Yeah, well, whatever. Whatever. It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift.”

Speaking as a BBC Sport pundit before England’s semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, Hart explained why he felt the exchange was unfair on Bellingham. “If you were to go off what was being asked to Jude Bellingham, which was a bit naughty in my opinion because it was only the negative of what Thomas said, of course he’s going to react like that because he felt like he was being attacked, having done something special,” Hart told presenter Mark Chapman.

Hart was also keen to play down any suggestion of a lasting rift between Bellingham and Tuchel. “When you go back behind closed doors and Jude Bellingham realises what [Tuchel] said on the whole, they’re having a laugh about it,” he added.

When Chapman suggested Clarke had simply asked a perfectly normal question, Hart maintained his position without directing personal criticism at the reporter. “I’m not telling anyone how to do their job and everyone is within their rights to ask the question. I’m telling you as a player, if I’m emotional, I’m off the back of getting to a semi-final, which I haven’t done by the way, I would react like that, and I think it’s naughty.”

The interviews have provoked a significant public response, with more than 400 complaints reportedly filed with Ofcom. England captain Harry Kane has also weighed in, suggesting Bellingham had little choice but to respond the way he did given the framing of Clarke’s question. Clarke is a long-serving ITV correspondent whose work has been central to the broadcaster’s England coverage for decades.