ITV has been forced to issue an apology after an advert for a car caused HD viewers missed Steven Gerrard's opener for England against the USA on Saturday night. ITV1 presenter Adrian Chiles apologised to viewers during the half-time analysis, following an interruption to the live broadcast of the game's early moments.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera Sports recently claimed that 'unnamed elements' deliberately disrupted their coverage of the opening game between South Africa and Mexico.

The game was subject to constant losses of picture and sudden switches between English and French commentary.

"Al Jazeera Sport would like to condemn the actions of those involved in the deliberate attempts to block its signal during its World Cup broadcasts on Friday," an official statement from the broadcaster read.

FIFA responded to Aljazeera.net stating: "[FIFA] is appalled by any actions to try to stop Al Jazeera's authorised transmissions of the FIFA World Cup as such actions deprive football fans from enjoying the world game in the region."