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Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate surrounding ITV Sport’s post-match interviews after the Three Lions defeated Norway to advance in the World Cup.

England secured a 2-1 victory in the quarter-final, with both goals coming from Jude Bellingham. However, much of the discussion in the following days revolved around the on-field interviews conducted by reporter Gabriel Clarke at Miami Stadium.

During a tense exchange, England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance in that match. Clarke then relayed Tuchel’s comments to Bellingham, who had been the hero of the game.

“Yeah, well, whatever. Whatever. It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift,” Bellingham responded, after enduring 120 minutes of intense play in sweltering conditions.

Speaking later as a pundit for BBC Sport ahead of England’s semi-final clash with Argentina on Wednesday, Hart made it clear that he did not appreciate the tone of Clarke’s questioning during the Bellingham interview.

“What I love about that exchange though is context is key, and when I talk about Thomas Tuchel, it’s because he genuinely cares about what’s inside this squad,” Hart told Mark Chapman before the semi-final.

“Now, if you go by what was asked to Jude Bellingham, which was a bit naughty in my opinion because it only focused on the negative part of what Thomas said, of course he’s going to react that way. He probably felt under attack after doing something remarkable.”

Hart went on to explain that once emotions settled, both Tuchel and Bellingham would no doubt share a laugh about it. “When you go back behind closed doors and Jude Bellingham realises what Tuchel said in full, they’ll be laughing about it,” he added.

When Chapman suggested that Clarke had simply posed ‘a perfectly normal question’ in light of Tuchel’s earlier comments, Hart stood by his opinion.

“I’m not telling anyone how to do their job, and everyone has the right to ask questions,” Hart said. “But as a player, if I’m emotional, coming off the back of reaching a semi-final—which I haven’t done, by the way—I’d react like that too. And I think it’s naughty.”

Clarke, a respected veteran journalist whose coverage has become closely associated with ITV’s England broadcasts over the years, has faced criticism for those particular post-match interviews in Florida. Reports indicate that more than 400 viewers have lodged complaints with Ofcom about the exchanges. England captain Harry Kane has also commented on the matter, suggesting that, given the circumstances, Bellingham’s reaction was entirely understandable.