Rio Ferdinand will not be part of the TNT Sports Commentary team in the Europa League semi-finals between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao tonight.
Ferdinand was suffering from disease bugs and posted a photo of himself on X’s hospital bed last night before Arsenal clashed with Paris Saint-Germain.
He wrote: “I missed the semifinals on TNT this week!
“Wish the team all the best – I will watch it from the iPad every minute!”
No loss of semifinals this week @footballontnt!!
Wish the team all the best – I will watch it from the iPad every minute! 🤝🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/meode2p88y– Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) May 7, 2025
True to his words, Ferdinand quickly criticized Myles Lewis-Skelly for being considered a second-half fine given to PSG on handball inside the region, calling the decision “terrible.”
Mixed reactions to Rio news
Fans quickly joined Ferdinand’s social media post, with some wishing he would recover quickly, while others took the opportunity to criticize his album.
The former Manchester United and England defender has been under fire for his commentary style, with many suggesting he sounding like a supporter rather than an announcer.
He and Robbie Savage’s reaction to Harry Maguire’s late goal last month was widely criticized, with veteran broadcaster Clive Tyldesley comparing the channel to Manchester United’s internal station MUTV.
Harry Maguire did it again! 🚨
Manchester United has completed its comeback✅
📺 @tntsports and @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/mcnnclcikl
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Tedsley wrote: “On TNT Sport, Chief Commentator Darren Fletcher is playing gooseberry with two former Manchester United players who just like to make a comeback. We know that.
“So, just in case we wonder if Rio’s voice temporarily lost the commentator’s traditional neutral frequency, we could watch his fist ringing air over and over.
“Fletch is savvy enough to take a deep breath after Manchester United’s equalizer – my excellent mentor Reg Gutterridge once called it “thinking time” – before handing over “Kobbie Mainoo is the coolest kid in Old Trafford and Manchester United”. Both Rio and Robbie’s side were unshamelessly losing their collective coolness, welcome to mutv.”
Ballon d’Or…
Ferdinand’s goal against Real Madrid was also ridiculed in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final last season, and he just repeated “Ballon d’Or”.
Rio’s reaction to JR Vinicius JR’s final goal 😂#uclfinal | @rioferdy5 pic.twitter.com/v70i9zuyyk
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 2, 2024
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