Joey Barton claims Football Focus will be next after blaming ‘wokeness’ for the BBC cancelling A Question of Sport… as he aims another jibe at host Alex Scott by slamming the show as ‘drivel and nonsense’
Joey Barton has suggested that Football Focus could follow A Question of Sport when it was canceled by the BBC after appearing to direct another joke at the show's presenter Alex Scott.
The BBC confirmed on Friday evening that the long-running sports quiz had been canceled after more than 1,300 episodes.
The cOrporation blamed inflation and declining ratings for this move The decision to ax production came after long-running presenter Sue Barker was sacked, sparking anger among viewers.
A Question of Sport first debuted in 1970 and was initially helmed by former Match of the Day reporter David Vine, but is best known for being presented by Barker, who captained the program for 24 years.
Barton, who made headlines for his rant about whether women in football should be broadcasting, blamed “wokeness” and “poor quality guests” for the cancellation.
A Question of Sport was axed by the BBC on Friday evening after more than fifty years of operation
The number of participants on the sports show has fallen since popular presenter Sue Barker left in 2020
Joey Barton has claimed that 'wokeness' has killed the show and that Football Focus will be next
The former Man City midfielder directed his comments at Football Focus presenter Scott, with the pair having previously clashed over his criticism.
“Wokeness killed it. Poor quality guests. Standards have dropped,” Barton wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
'It's so sad to see how things are slowly deteriorating. It was essential to see as a child who loved sports. Just like Soccer AM.
'I hear they are going to do something for Football Focus? @AlexScott? Hopefully not.
“Sure, someone can make it work online. It will not be long.'
Barton followed up with a tweet claiming he had to 'expel' Football Focus because he branded the program 'nonsense' and 'nonsense'.
'36 minutes. Football focus off. Sorry, it's just awful,” Barton posted.
'Chatter and nonsense served with a touch of dullness. No wonder it's canned.
'Well done to everyone involved. Another flagship destroyed by The Tokens.”
The former footballer directed his comments to Football Focus presenter Alex Scott on X
Barton claimed he was forced to switch off Football Focus because he called the program 'nonsense'
Barton has previously attacked Scott, claiming she has 'no idea' about men's football
Scott has presented Football Focus since 2021, but doubts have arisen over its future
Barton's comments come after Mail Sport revealed in August that the 49-year-old program had lost more than a third of its early-season viewers in four years.
Average weekly ratings for August were down from 849,000 in 2019 to just 564,000 at the start of this season.
The dramatic drop in ratings coincided with Scott replacing Dan Walker as Focus' main presenter in 2021. In Walker's final season before being moved, the average weekly audience was 827,000 in August, before dropping to 809,000 in 2021, 599,000 12 months later and 564,000. this year.
Scott hit back at sexist digs at Barton last week, claiming before the weekend that women shouldn't comment on men's football because they haven't played it.
The former England star turned presenter delivered an emotional monologue at the end of coverage of the Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea on Sunday
“Just before we say goodbye, to all the women in football, in front of the camera, behind it, the players on the field, to everyone who attends matches, keep being the role model that you continue to be,” she said.
“To all those young girls who are told that's not possible, football is a better place when we're all in it.”
Scott's comments prompted a further attack from Barton, who has been out of work since being sacked as Bristol Rover manager in October.
Scott responded indirectly to Barton's sexist comments by defending female experts
Barton made a personal comment about Scott's playing ability and offered to debate her on a podcast
Scott made more than 200 club appearances during her career and was also a regular for England
He tweeted: 'connntinnuuuuuuuuhhhhtuuuu (sic) what, sorry @AlexScott. I can't say you don't understand men's football? You do not do that. Sorry. You have no idea. And you were a very poor player compared to even a Sunday League player.
'In my opinion, the winner of this year's FA National Sunday Cup could easily beat the winner of this season's @BarclaysWSL @SkySportsWSL in a cup final, at Wembley for charity. Or English women @Lionesses.
'I like having Alex on my podcast. I think I know more about football than she does. I think I was a better player, but I would like to see (or hear) her perspective.”
Barton, 41, then appeared to backtrack on his scathing comments by sharing a screenshot of a direct message he personally sent to Scott.
'Come on! I don't want a fight,” the message read.
The tweet was accompanied by the caption: “If the offer holds. I hate to tell you the whole truth. Am I wrong? Let's debate it. No changes allowed. As long as you want.
“She followed me first. I just followed back. I like Alex. I think she's a great role model. A brilliant player in the women's game.
'The men's game is different. Debate with me. Let's discuss. I'm a bad guy. I understand. But I want to do it right. Merry Christmas.'