Former footballer Ian Wright has spoken out after black sports pundits received racist abuse from fans

Thursday, 27th August 2020, 1:01 pm
Updated Thursday, 27th August 2020, 1:01 pm
In a video posted on Twitter, an emotional Wright expressed his anger at the public reaction to the news. (Getty)

Ian Wright has criticised the negative response towards the possibility of black sports pundits, including Alex Scott and Micah Richards, potentially being given a job on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday show.

Sky announced on Wednesday 26 August that Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson would be replaced prior to the coming season.

Scott and Richards, were listed as two of the possible replacements, and this sparked a mixed reaction on social media.

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‘Why are people upset?’


"I've had to pull the car over. The racism is going through the roof today," he said.

"Somebody answer me this: what does Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Sol Campbell, Clinton Morrison or any other black pundit have to do with Sky's decision to get rid of these guys, all because three middle aged white guys have got the sack?

"What have these guys done? Because a black person or woman might get the opportunity to do this job? Why are people upset?”

He praised Scott and Richards, saying, “For me, [Scott] is easily one of the best prepared pundits out there. Easily.

“Micah Richards is the most exciting pundit we've seen in years,” he added.

"Keep their names out of your stinking, unbrushed teeth mouths. Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson, they've had an unbelievable run, it's been a great show. This happens to everyone in the industry.

"This is Sky's decision to evolve the show. And I wish them all the very best. Yes, you can be disappointed that it's come to an end for those guys, they've done brilliantly.

Wright then questioned the relevance of the recent Black Lives Matter protests with the news asking, "But why does it have to be racially driven? What's it got to do with Black Lives Matter or the fact that black people may get an opportunity to get those jobs? What?"

What was the response to his video?

A number of Twitter users expressed their support for Wright's view on the situation, with one user simply responding, “Spot on.”

Meanwhile, Scott reacted to the post with four love heart emojis.