Mid-match TV interviews get coaches talking a good game but may risk alienating diehard fans

There were few stranger sights on the opening weekend of the Women's Super League season than that of the London City Lionesses manager, Jocelyn Prêcheur, standing in his technical area with large headphones on and a microphone in hand.

- Suzanne Wrack

After Nikita Parris went in the book for a hefty challenge on Arsenal's Katie McCabe 20 minutes in, Prêcheur was called to do a live interview with the BBC. It was three minutes after Kosovare Asllani had converted from the spot for the visiting team, scoring her side's first WSL goal and shocking the Emirates Stadium crowd. And there was the manager with his back to the pitch, live on air.

"I'm happy they didn't do it in the second half," the Frenchman joked after his side had conceded four to lose the game, when asked about what it was like to conduct an interview mid-match.

For Arsenal, their manager, Renée Slegers, was interviewed at half-time and the injured Leah Williamson took on mid-match duties with Arsenal leading 2-1 and while play was paused for substitutions.

"It was something they did in the Swedish League as well, so I've done it before," Slegers said. "Of course I want to focus on my team and half-time is crucial for us, so it's not ideal from a coaching perspective, but I also see the bigger picture that we have to collaborate with broadcasters. Every single piece that we can develop in the women's game and women's football is positive for us."

These new interview slots were included in the new broadcast deal signed by WSL Football with Sky Sports and the BBC, with broadcasters requiring ever greater levels of access for the amount of money they pour into the sport.