A bit of context surrounding the Felipe Contepomi question.

[recepcionmetic]

You need to check for accuracy, you damage the head coach image. He has a job as you. I don’t agree you, you can ask whatever doesn’t matter who gets hurt.

[DerangedSatyr]

But the thing is, your ‘question’ was phrased as a statement.

[cjpitzer]

Still think in such a public forum, your facts must be checked for accuracy before asked. That's the difference between journalism and good journalism

[michaelfield]

Surely your question should have been…..did you approach the Refs change room at half time? Rather than insinuating what you heard was correct by following up your statement that you heard he approached the refs change room with the question…..were you upset?

[Magz-]

But you still tarnished the man’s image and integrity. That wrong information about him going to the ref’s change rooms at half time made him look like he was trying to influence the results, which is what really upset him. Don’t hide behind “your job”, facts are important, more especially when they have to do with a coach’s integrity.

[SNOK]

You are right you are a journalist but you need to vet your own questions. Coz that is a HUGE mistake between half time and full time. It could be the mans job on the line with such an allegation.

[erhardtjoubert]

There is a mile and a half difference between a coach trying to influence a ref mid game and approaching him afterwards. I think it was an error in judgement at best and gossip mongering at worst.

[internationalconsultant]

2:48 2:54 You are wring here. Certain issues are dealt with when the time is right. You showed the coach and the occadion disrespect. Being factual is not always morally correct.

[icemansa]

I don't know the refrees change room. Which is a lie, seems the coach is overly emtional

[douglasdejager]

He is a guest in SA at the end of a bad loss. Have some respect next time! This is not soccer

[petrusvanderMerwe-ok]

you were wrong with your facts during not after different meaning

[patriporrato]

It's ok, Bro. No worries, hugs from Argentina.

[mhcronje]

My ou..sounded more like a statement than a question at the time when you listen to the interview.

[TheSkiers]

As a journalist you cannot ask any question because you are aware of the stigma OR insinuations created by your questions. You were wrong regarding “half time” but what your question insinuated was that you “were told” he approached the ref WITH ANOTHER HALF STILL TO PLAY so to try and perhaps change the way the ref was reffing the game. COMPLETELY different to an approach after the game. You need to man up to your mistake here Brenden.

[myronalcock]

Heya Brendan, appreciate the context. Nothing wrong with the question of whether or not he approached the referee's at some stage of the game (pre/during/post). Given that your info was from a thrid party, you could have asked the question more tactfully to discern what facts you had were correct. Whether or not he is guilty of breaching a code of conduct isn't for you to decide, but you can and should report on it. For me, journalism would have resulted in us all having a understanding of why he was upset, which is really the engaging part of this - and remains unanswered.

[davidadshade]

“I know Ben O’Keefe [referee] very well and we chatted and I said we [will] send a review and he said ‘yes’ and that we are OK in terms of interchanging." Calling you out, on a technicality, and making this statement is disingenuous.

[Lurker]

Great job Brenden! 👏 The question needed to be ask. Given past issues with approaching referees, there are protocols in place. This is not the Argentinian coach’s first loss, you would think he would keep his emotions in check. He was very defensive for a soft question which begged the question why? The truth people are refusing to acknowledge, conveniently, is that he INDEED, approached the referees circumventing protocol (the timing being less significant than the actual act). Attention was drawn away by him to the timing rather than the act itself which by itself is egregious! People are 🐑. Focus on the smoke rather than fire 🔥.

[flipvanschalkwyk]

To quote Contepomi, "You're a journalist". So, go ahead, ask the questions, that's what good journalists should do. If he is innocent, he should just deny it, not accuse you of bad journalism and then walk out.

[avrilfortuin]

Seeking clarification through questions is a reasonable and constructive approach. It is not always necessary for questions to be based on facts; sometimes they help us uncover the facts.

[MrKamish]

I appreciate that you say you have to ask difficult question to the coach. It is part of your job, but you have to get your fact right when asking controversial questions. Admitting it afterwards is big that you got the timing wrong but you had to follow it up with a apology.