View source for AFTV

{{short description|YouTube channel aimed at Arsenal F.C. supporters}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name                 = AFTV
| logo                 = AFTV logo 2018.jpg
| caption              = AFTV logo
| channel_url          = UCBTy8j2cPy6zw68godcE7MQ
| channel_display_name = AFTV
| years_active         = 2012–
| genre                = Sports
| subscribers          = 1.45 million <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
| views                = 1.22 billion <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
| silver_button        = yes
| silver_year          = 2014
| gold_button          = yes
| gold_year            = 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Qyo_9RU2Y|title=ONE MILLION SUBSCRIBERS! THANK YOU|date=23 June 2019|author=AFTV|publisher=YouTube|access-date=24 June 2019}}</ref>
| stats_update         = 14 Jul 2022
}}
'''AFTV''' (formerly known as '''ArsenalFanTV''') is a football fan [[YouTube]] channel and website directed at [[Arsenal F.C. supporters|supporters]] of [[Arsenal F.C.]] Based in [[London]], England, the channel was created in 2012 and includes fan interviews, previews and reviews of players. They have interviewed players such as [[Olivier Giroud]], [[Ian Wright]] and [[Thierry Henry]].
==History==
The channel was created in October 2012 and was founded by former [[BBC]] [[reggae]] radio host Robbie Lyle;<ref>{{cite web|last=Menmuir|first=Ted|date=February 12, 2014|title=Robbie Lyle interview|url=https://sbcnews.co.uk/featurednews/2014/02/12/sbc-interview-robbie-lyle-arsenalfan-tv-youtube-star/|access-date=31 May 2017|website=Sports Betting Community}}</ref> Lyle had worked as a [[Surveying|surveyor]] before quitting his job to work on ArsenalFanTV full-time. He created the channel with his cameraman "Tao" who had also quit his job to pursue a career on YouTube.<ref name="vice">{{cite web|last=Usher|first=Tom|date=4 November 2016|title=Meet the People Behind the Vox Pops on Arsenal Fan TV|url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/qkyjy3/meet-the-people-behind-the-vox-pops-on-arsenal-fan-tv|access-date=15 May 2017|website=Vice|language=en-us}}</ref>
[[File:Emirates Stadium 1.jpg|thumb|AFTV film their interviews outside the [[Emirates Stadium]] after Arsenal's home games]]
Their first fan interviews were conducted after Arsenal's 5–2 win against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], [[North London derby|Arsenal's local rivals]].<ref name=vice /> When asked by [[Vice Media|Vice]] why he created the channel, Lyle said that "We've all had enough of the so-called pundits, most of whom aren't even at the games. So I started my own channel to hear from the real fans, with real opinions. That was my aim with the site".<ref name=vice /> ArsenalFanTV pioneered the concept of supporter-led TV or "Fan TV", which has led to other club supporters creating similar channels on YouTube.<ref name="guard">{{Cite news|last=MacInnes|first=Paul|date=13 Feb 2017|title=ArsenalFanTV and the case against Arsene Wenger|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/feb/13/arsenal-fan-tv-and-the-case-against-arsene-wenger|access-date=31 May 2017|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
Since its creation, the channel has continued to provide viewers with fan interviews and content about Arsenal on [[social media]] but its rise in the YouTube community occurred as a result of the many viral videos it had posted from fan interviews. The channel has uploaded several videos of angry rants from supporters directed at the [[Ownership of Arsenal F.C.|club's ownership]], some of which include Chris Hudson's rant after the loss to [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] in 2013 and Troopz in 2017 following Arsenal's 5–1 defeat to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Browne|first=PJ|date=Feb 16, 2017|title=ArsenalFanTV is must watch after Bayern Munich humiliation|work=Balls.ie|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/arsenal-fan-tv-bayern-359205|access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref>
Much of the anger from supporters on the channel was directed towards former manager [[Arsène Wenger]], who many believed should have resigned following his long tenure at the football club, especially during the [[2016–17 Arsenal F.C. season|2016–17 season]] in which there was a divide among Arsenal fans, with a minority being "Wenger In" and a majority being "Wenger Out".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/03/31/seventy-eight-per-cent-arsenal-fans-want-arsene-wenger-leave/|title=Seventy-eight per cent of Arsenal fans want Arsene Wenger to leave|first=Matt|last=Law|date=31 March 2017|access-date=29 September 2018|work=The Telegraph}}</ref> There has also been criticism towards major shareholder [[Stan Kroenke]] who many Arsenal fans believe should sell his shares to the next major shareholder [[Alisher Usmanov]] following claims of his lack of desire towards the club and comments made by Kroenke himself stating that he "didn't buy Arsenal stakes to win trophies".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Benge|first=James|date=2016-03-13|title=Kroenke: I didn't buy Arsenal stake to win trophies|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/stan-kroenke-i-didnt-buy-arsenal-stake-to-win-trophies-a3202046.html|access-date=2020-08-17|website=Evening Standard|language=en}}</ref> This was referenced on [[BT Sport]] by the former [[England national football team|England]] international [[Rio Ferdinand]] when he mentioned the frustration of Arsenal supporters with Wenger on ArsenalFanTV in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last=Newman|first=Benjamin|date=5 March 2016|title=Rio Ferdinand refers to angry Claude from ArsenalFanTV during Spurs game|url=http://www.101greatgoals.com/101ggvideos/rio-ferdinand-refers-angry-claude-arsenal-fan-tv-spurs-game-video/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828025140/https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/rio-ferdinand-refers-angry-claude-arsenal-fan-tv-spurs-game-video/|archive-date=2018-08-28|website=101greatgoals.com}}</ref>
On 20 April 2018, [[Channel 4]] premiered a new late-night football show called ''[[The Real Football Fan Show]]'' hosted by Lyle and featuring many ArsenalFanTV regulars.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Benge|first=James|date=9 April 2018|title=ArsenalFanTV heading to Channel 4 in new late-night show|language=en-GB|work=Evening Standard|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenalfantv-heading-to-channel-4-in-new-latenight-show-a3809461.html|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref> In March 2020, Lyle was also the subject of an [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]] documentary entitled ''Robbie Lyle: Football Fans Under Their Skin'' in which he discusses racism within football and the experiences of black football supporters.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Anita|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2020/03/30/robbie-lyle-football-fans-skin-review-stories-racism-powerful/|title=Robbie Lyle: Football Fans Under the Skin, review: the stories of racism were powerful – but where were the answers from those actually in power?|date=2020-03-30|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2020-04-04|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
==Notable contributors==
[[File:Ty, Claude and Robbie AFTV 2017.png|thumb|From left to right (foreground): Ty, Claude and Robbie in 2017]]
Although the channel interviews a variety of Arsenal supporters after every game, there are a few supporters who are regularly interviewed by Robbie Lyle and are well known by many of the channel's viewers.
=== Current ===
*'''"Ty" (Taiwo Ogunlabi)''': Seen as optimistic and is well known for his support of Arsène Wenger. He constantly defended Wenger during his tenure as manager despite facing growing opposition from supporters<ref name="g">{{cite web|first=Paul |last=MacInnes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/feb/13/arsenal-fan-tv-and-the-case-against-arsene-wenger |title=Fan TV: revolution or just a vehicle for venting attention-grabbing fury? |work=The Guardian |date=23 November 2015 |access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref> and is often labelled as "delusional".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ty from Arsenal Fan TV got into a heated argument with a literal child|url=https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/ty-from-arsenal-fan-tv-got-into-a-heated-argument-with-a-literal-child-163276|access-date=2021-10-02|website=JOE.co.uk|date=16 February 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
*'''Lee Judges''': A lifelong Arsenal supporter, Lee has given several passionate rants about the demise of Arsenal under Wenger.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dutton|first=Tom|date=2017-04-11|title=Arsenal Fan TV star urges Wenger to walk immediately after Palace loss|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-wenger-should-walk-immediately-after-crystal-palace-loss-says-arsenal-fan-tvs-lee-judges-a3512221.html|access-date=2020-08-17|website=Evening Standard|language=en}}</ref>
*'''"[[White Yardie]]" (Harry Gregory):''' A comedian originally from [[Black River, Jamaica]], he joined the channel following Troopz's departure in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-28|title=Comedian White Yardie stays true to Ja's motto|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20190928/comedian-white-yardie-stays-true-jas-motto|access-date=2020-12-07|website=jamaica-gleaner.com|language=en}}</ref>
=== Former ===
* '''[[Claude Callegari]]''': An outspoken critic of Arsène Wenger, he is famous for saying "It's time to go!" about Wenger.<ref name="tele">{{cite web|author=Sean Gibson|date=3 April 2017|title=Arsenal Fan TV attacked by fellow supporters while trying to film after Manchester City match|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/04/03/arsenal-fan-tv-attacked-fellow-fans-trying-film-manchester-city/|access-date=31 May 2017|work=The Telegraph}}</ref> In July 2020, he was removed as a contributor after making a racist remark about Tottenham Hotspur player [[Heung-Min Son]] during a livestream.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|date=15 July 2020|title=Arsenal condemn fan for racist slur against Heung-Min Son made on AFTV|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12029201/arsenal-condemn-fan-for-racist-slur-against-heung-min-son-made-on-aftv|website=Sky Sports}}</ref> He died on 29 March 2021, aged 58.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rathborn|first=Jack|date=2021-03-30|title=AFTV regular Claude dies, his family confirms|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal/claude-aftv-dead-age-cause-b1824326.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-30|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330095848/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal/claude-aftv-dead-age-cause-b1824326.html |archive-date=30 March 2021 }}</ref>
* '''"Troopz" (Aumar Hamilton)''': Another vocal critic of Wenger, Troopz is known for his use of [[multicultural London English]] words such as "blud" and "fam". In September 2020, Troopz announced his departure from AFTV to join [[Barstool Sports]] in [[New York City]] although he continued to appear on the channel until November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mustafa|first=Filiz|date=2020-09-08|title=Why is Troopz leaving Arsenal TV? YouTuber's new gig explained!|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/09/08/troopz-arsenal-tv/|access-date=2020-09-08|website=HITC|language=en-GB}}</ref> He has since made occasional appearances on AFTV.<ref>{{Citation|title=Arsenal 0-3 Liverpool {{!}} I Don't Trust The Process! (Angry Troopz)| date=3 April 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbktNp1NWiY|language=en|access-date=2021-04-04}}</ref>
*'''“DT” (Liam Goodenough)''': A vocal critic of Wenger, DT is also known for his angry rants whenever Arsenal lose and has been responsible for placing many "Wenger Out" banners at Arsenal matches.<ref>{{cite web|author=Shashi|date=12 March 2016|title=Arsenal fan behind 'Arsene Wenger out' banner speaks out|url=http://www.faceoffootball.com/2016/03/12/arsenal-fan-behind-arsene-wenger-out-banner-speaks-out/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616153703/http://www.faceoffootball.com/2016/03/12/arsenal-fan-behind-arsene-wenger-out-banner-speaks-out/|archive-date=2018-06-16|access-date=25 June 2017|website=Faceoffootball.com}}</ref> In January 2022, AFTV announced that he had been permanently banned from appearing on the channel after being sentenced to 3 years in prison.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-17|title=Arsenal fan channel AFTV bans regular contributor 'DT' after prison sentence extended|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-aftv-dt-liam-goodenough-b1994676.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117153903/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-aftv-dt-liam-goodenough-b1994676.html |archive-date=2022-01-17 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-22|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref>
==Controversies==
=== 2017 ===
Lawrence Tallis, the creative director of [[Bigballs Media|Big Balls Films]] (which launched [[COPA90]]), questioned whether many viewers were watching the channel for analysis of Arsenal or the entertainment.<ref name=guard /> Similarly, former Manchester United player and [[Sky Sports]] pundit [[Gary Neville]] criticised Arsenal fans who appeared on the channel for being too harsh on Wenger. "I was watching Arsenal fans slating and slanging into him, and I thought, 'he doesn't deserve that'".<ref>{{cite web|author=de Menezes|first=Jack|date=6 February 2017|title=Gary Neville in war of words with 'embarrassing' Arsenal fans after criticising ArsenalFanTV|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-news-gary-neville-arsenalfantv-fans-embarrassing-arsene-wenger-a7564776.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208172812/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-news-gary-neville-arsenalfantv-fans-embarrassing-arsene-wenger-a7564776.html |archive-date=2017-02-08 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=25 June 2017|work=The Independent}}</ref> ArsenalFanTV later extended an invitation for Neville to discuss his comments on the channel, which he accepted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmgVPi_YQ7E|title=Gary Neville Interview|website=[[YouTube]] |date=17 February 2017 }}</ref> After Arsenal's 2–2 draw against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in April 2017, many Arsenal supporters attempted to attack Robbie as well as other regulars such as Claude.<ref name=tele />
That same month, ArsenalFanTV came under criticism for a video they posted in association with ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' newspaper. The video, which featured Lyle, DT and Ty, received backlash from many football fans, especially [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] supporters, who have boycotted ''The Sun'' due to its controversial reporting of the 1989 [[Hillsborough disaster]] which killed 97 Liverpool fans, which included allegations of Liverpool fans urinating on police officers and pickpocketing dying supporters. Liverpool had recently banned the newspaper from attending press conferences and [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] followed suit following an article posted about [[Ross Barkley]] which had compared him to a gorilla and was considered offensive due to his grandfather's Nigerian heritage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-39677539|title=Sun prints apology to Ross Barkley|work=BBC News |date=22 April 2017|access-date=29 September 2018|via=BBC}}</ref> In response to the criticism, Lyle appeared on the ''Ball Street'' YouTube channel and apologised to the people of Liverpool for any offence that was taken and has promised to not work with the tabloid in the future with the video having since been deleted from the channel.<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 May 2017|title=WATCH: Arsenal Fan TV apologise to Liverpool fans for working with the Sun {{!}} JOE.co.uk|language=en|work=JOE.co.uk|url=https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/watch-arsenal-fan-tv-apologise-to-liverpool-fans-for-working-with-the-sun-124286|access-date=3 June 2017}}</ref>
Following Arsenal's 2–0 defeat to Tottenham in April 2017, Lyle was escorted out of [[White Hart Lane]] with police protection after being abused by many Tottenham fans and was unable to film ArsenalFanTV after that match. In a video afterwards, Lyle stated that much of the abuse he received was racist and was not something he experienced for years. Tottenham Hotspur condemned any racial abuse and was working with the [[Metropolitan Police]] on the issue.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 May 2017|title=Arsenal fan racially abused at Spurs|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-39787837/arsenal-fan-racially-abused-at-spurs|access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref>
=== 2018 ===
In August 2018, ArsenalFanTV were forced to change their name to AFTV following discussions with Arsenal regarding the channel breaching Arsenal's copyright by using the term "Arsenal" without authorisation which harmed the club.<ref name="name">{{cite web|last=Benge|first=James|date=14 August 2018|title=Arsenal Fan TV forced into rebrand after talks with Gunners|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fan-tv-forced-into-rebrand-after-talks-with-gunners-hierarchy-a3911261.html|access-date=29 September 2018|website=Evening Standard}}</ref> Some media outlets claimed Arsenal had issued a [[cease and desist]] letter against ArsenalFanTV, however, they confirmed this was not true.<ref name=name />
=== 2020 ===
In July 2020, contributor [[Claude Callegari]] made a racial slur about [[South Korea|South Korean]] Tottenham Hotspur player Heung-Min Son during a livestream, referring to him as a [[DVD]].<ref name="auto1"/> This has been considered a racial slur since at least 2005, referencing the large number of Asian people who sell DVDs around the East London area.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fogarty|first=Paul|date=2020-07-15|title='DVD' racial slur meaning: Claude Callegari under fire for remarks against Son Heung-min|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/07/15/dvd-racial-slur-meaning-arsenal-fan-tv-aftv/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=HITC|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Monsoon|first=Mickey|date=25 January 2005|title=Is DVD racist?|url=http://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s346/st65582.htm|access-date=2020-08-17|website=Lions of the South}}</ref> After making a video on the platform alongside Lyle in which the issue was discussed but no apology was given, channel sponsor [[Harry's]] stated that they would no longer be working with AFTV. Following this, AFTV announced that Callegari would be removed from the channel "indefinitely".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-53416498|title=Arsenal Fan TV pundit dropped for racist comment|work=BBC News |date=15 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mogan|first=Tony|date=15 July 2020|title=Claude removed from Arsenal Fan TV for racist remark about Son|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fan-tv-claude-racist-remark-son-arsenal-tottenham-a4498596.html|website=Evening Standard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.caughtoffside.com/2020/07/15/arsenal-fan-tv-racism-statement-made-by-robbie-lyle/|title=Arsenal Fan TV racism statement made as Robbie Lyle hints at education course for Claude|first=Magnus|last=Eriksen|date=15 July 2020}}</ref> During the same livestream, contributor Troopz commented that “[[Harry Kane]] is white so he must be right”; despite this, no action was taken against Troopz.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Randhawa|first=Jaikuran|date=15 July 2020|title=Video: 'White so he must be right' - Troopz' shocking comment about Kane on AFTV as Arsenal lose to Spurs|url=https://www.caughtoffside.com/2020/07/15/video-white-so-he-must-be-right-troopz-shocking-comment-about-kane-on-aftv-as-arsenal-lose-to-spurs/|website=CaughtOffside}}</ref>
In August 2020, AFTV was criticised during a livestream of the [[2020 FA Cup Final]] after some fans celebrated when [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] player [[Christian Pulisic]] was injured and had to be taken off.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Leah|date=2020-08-01|title=Disgusting AFTV contributors mock Chelsea's Pulisic after heartbreaking injury in FA Cup final|url=https://www.caughtoffside.com/2020/08/01/disgusting-aftv-contributors-mock-chelseas-pulisic-after-heartbreaking-injury-in-fa-cup-final/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=CaughtOffside|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Heck|first=Jordan|date=1 August 2020|title=AFTV caught celebrating Christian Pulisic's injury in FA Cup final|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/aftv-christian-pulisic-injury-fa-cup-final/18ep9k64njiex12mwj7q6zdy0n|access-date=2020-08-17|website=www.sportingnews.com|language=en}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Arsenal Supporters' Trust]]
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
[[Category:YouTube channels launched in 2012]]
[[Category:Arsenal F.C. mass media]]
[[Category:English-language YouTube channels]]
[[Category:Entertainment-related YouTube channels]]
[[Category:Sports-related YouTube channels]]