Olivia Buzaglo explains what really happened during viral Jean-Philippe Mateta interview

Olivia Buzaglo has hit out at social media’s reaction to her viral interview with Jean-Philippe Mateta, insisting it was a ‘lovely moment’.

talkSPORT presenter Buzaglo found herself the centre of attention online after the Crystal Palace striker caused a stir by putting his arm around her during a post-match interview last week.

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The incident unfolded after the Eagles’ 3-0 Conference League win over Fiorentina, which saw Mateta score the opening goal in the quarter-final first-leg clash.

But Mateta then got fans talking online when he joined Buzaglo for his post-match interview alongside teammate Tyrick Mitchell.

The Frenchman looked to be in good spirits, and could be seen wrapping his arm around the reporter, who was interviewing him on behalf of TNT Sports.

Buzaglo appeared to see the funny side, joking: “We are all having a little cuddle here it looks like.”

However, Mateta’s antics were quickly pounced on, with many rushing onto social media to comment on him getting up close to Buzaglo.

talkSPORT’s Alan Brazil also had his say on the Breakfast Show, furiously asking ‘What’s he doing?’ in a protective reaction.

Buzaglo later took to social media to address the reaction to her interview with Mateta, insisting there was ‘absolutely nothing in it’.

Buzaglo defends Mateta

After days of talk online, Buzaglo again played down the viral moment on talkSPORT’s Early Sports Breakfast on Monday.

The presenter reiterated she had no issue with Mateta putting his arm round her, pointing out that the striker was in a jubilant mood after a huge, which also saw him score his first goal since his since his proposed January move to AC Milan fell through 

She began: “Basically the whole world just went absolutely mental over absolutely nothing. 

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“Post-match interview – JP [Mateta] was in a good mood. It was arguably maybe the second greatest night in Crystal Palace’s history, after the FA Cup final.

“What a result – 3-0 against a European giant, playing Fiorentina. Good team.”

Moving on to the interview itself, Buzaglo revealed the TV footage prevented viewers from getting the full picture.

She continued: “Anyway, JP was in a very good mood. He came over.

“What everyone didn’t see was he put his arm around me, put his arm around Tyrick Mitchell as well.

“So we were all standing there having a bit of a cuddle. And then when the camera came, obviously he just had his arm around me. 

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“And it was a lovely interview. I was taking the mick a little bit that he missed a chance that Mitchell then scored.”

‘Went crazy’

Buzaglo stressed social media had overreacted massively to the interview, and pointed out that Mateta had been leaning in towards her so he could hear her better.

She rounded off: “Twitter, or X, went crazy with it as they always do. And then the talkSPORT edit, whoever made that absolutely stitched me right up!

“It doesn’t help that Mateta’s 6ft4in, I’m 5ft2in. He can’t hear me because the Palace fans are really loud. So he’s leaning in as well. 

“But it was a lovely moment. It was lovely. It was a lovely interview. There was nothing in it. 

“And thank you for everyone for going mental over absolutely nothing. So that was the situation.”