Venables scores own goal

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Even before its World Cup ratings war against the BBC had started in earnest, ITV scored a spectacular own goal when its main pundit, Terry Venables, told advertising executives that football fans hated adverts. The executives had been brought together by ITV in an effort to boost advertising sales after a tough year for the industry. But when one member of the audience asked Mr Venables why fans tended to watch big games on the BBC, the former football manager replied: "Because they don't like the ad breaks."