The $30 million toe in the water

During a live Fox broadcast for the World Cup, former USMNT star Alexi Lalas referred to colleague James Corden using a derogatory British slang term, leaving fellow analysts stunned and the segment rapidly going viral on social media .

According to the report, the incident occurred on the second day of the tournament during a panel discussion preceding the match between Canada and Bosnia .

Host Rebecca Lowe had prompted the panel to talk about Corden's new late-night show 'After Hours' when Lalas interjected with the unexpected comment .

A familiar pattern from the 2019 crash

Lalas, a former USMNT player with 96 caps, is known for his outspoken nature and has previously courted controversy.

Notably, during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he wore a traditional Arab thobe during a live segment, sparking debate.

His critical remarks about the US men's national team have also drawn attention.

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The reaction from the panel was instantaneous and visibly stunned.

Thierry Henry stared at the camera in disbelief, while host Rebecca Lowe quickly attempted to redirect the conversation, noting that the term might be more acceptable on American television than in Britain, where it is considered a severe insult.

The moment was captured live and quickly spread across social media platforms , becoming a viral talking point globally.

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The broadacst took place during Fox's extensive World Cup coverage, which has already seen record viewership.

The opening match between Mexico and South Africa attracted a peak of 6.3 million viewers, marking a significant increase from the 2022 World Cup and setting a new benchmark for non-USMNT group stage telecasts.

James Corden's return to Fox for this World Cup comes after his departure from American television in 2023, ending his run on CBS's 'The Late Late Show.'

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Corden himself has faced criticism before, including a widely publicized incident in 2022 where he was banned from a New York restaurant after allegedly abusive behavior toward staff, for which he later apologized.

The first episode of 'After Hours' featured actress Mila Kunis as a guest, marking a symbolic return to the network.