BBC's 3D experience creates hilarious video of referee going down with cramp

Referee Felix Zwayer is helped with cramp
Referee Felix Zwayer went down with cramp during USA vs Australia (Image credit: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The BBC's 3D 'experience' might have created one of the oddest moments of the World Cup so far, with its strange rendering of referee Felix Zwayer going down with cramp during USA vs Australia.

The official needed help at the end of USA's 2-0 victory as he halted the game to deal with cramp.

Australia's Aiden O’Neill made his way over to help the ref with some stretches so he was able to get back to his feet and resume the match.

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Ref's cramp 3D simulation leaves fans baffled

BBC 3D’s rendering of Australia’s Aiden O’Neill treating the referee for cramp from r/soccer

The BBC's 3D experience allows viewers to watch 3D renderings of matches from any of the players' perspectives.

Selecting Aiden O'Neill and watching the moment he helped Zwayer with his cramp shows a graphic rendering of the referee twitching bizarrely while his hands appear to vanish as he lies on the ground receiving treatment.

Referee Felix Zwayer looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between SSC Napoli v FC Barcelona at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 21, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Referee Felix Zwayer needed treatment for cramp (Image credit: Getty Images)

After it was shared widely across social media, many fans were left questioning just what the service was actually for.

However, others were keen to explore it further to find more strange World Cup animations.

After it was shared to Reddit on the r/soccer thread, user Klynikal wrote: "Where can I watch the World Cup in PS1 graphics? Looks unintentionally hilarious."

Meanwhile, another user Hans_Krebs_ added: "Someone give me the backstory on why this exists".

Whether or not the 3D service will catch on with supporters this summer remains to be seen.

BBC World Cup 3D Experience Iraq vs Norway

The BBC's 3D World Cup experience (Image credit: BBC)

The broadcaster claims that it enables fans to take their love of football "to the next level".

Its website reads: "The FIFA World Cup 3D Experience is a totally new way to watch the game, putting you right in the heart of the action."

Fans are able to rewatch live matches, replays and highlights with complete control, by picking an angle, or reliving moments from certain players' points of view on the pitch.

Ryan Gray
Freelance Writer

Ryan Gray is a freelance writer, covering mainly travel and occasionally sport. He previously spent two years as Sports Editor at the Watford Observer before turning his hand to travel writing, with his work appearing in various national UK publications. He has gone from providing matchday commentary for Blyth Spartans to covering FA Cup and Euros finals, as well as interviewing the likes of Claudio Ranieri, Alan Shearer and Glenn Hoddle, among other big names. 

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