Richard Keys and Andy Gray’s sexism storm, Matt Le Tissier’s conspiracy theories and Ron Atkinson’s off-air comments… the football pundits to land themselves in hot water after Jermaine Jenas was sacked by the BBC
Former Premier League footballer Jermaine Jenas was sacked by the BBC this week after complaints were received about his workplace behaviour.
The former Match of the Day and The One Show presenter has been axed from both programmes and his contract has reportedly been terminated.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of our presenting line-up.”
Speaking on talkSPORT live on Thursday, Jenas, 41, said there were “two sides to every story” and that his “lawyers would sort it out.”
But he is not the first pundit in the football world to fall from grace. Here, Mail Sport looks at other names from the sport who have been sacked from their role as announcer.
Jermaine Jenas has been sacked by the BBC after complaints were made against him over his behaviour at work
The former Premier League star has yet to comment on his sacking, even appearing laughing on TalkSport Drive’s live 4pm show this afternoon, just minutes after it was announced he had been sacked from the BBC.
1. Richard Sleutels
For almost 20 years, Keys was one of Sky Sports’ leading Premier League reporters.
But in 2011, Keys resigned after allegedly making derogatory comments about female referee Sian Massey-Ellis and other women in the industry. Keys, who believed their microphones had been switched off, said: ‘Someone needs to go over there and explain to her (Massey) what offside is.’
He was also criticised for using foul language towards Jamie Redknapp in the Stamford Bridge studio while commentating on a match at Stamford Bridge.
Keys then contacted Massey-Ellis and went on to work for Al Jazeera and beIN Sports, where he now covers the Premier League for the channel, along with Andy Gray.
Richard Keys fronted Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage for almost 20 years
But in 2011, Keys resigned after allegedly making derogatory comments about female referee Sian Massey-Ellis
2. Andy Gray
Gray, who was Keys’ sidekick at Sky Sports for much of that time, saw his contract terminated after he also made sexist and derogatory comments about a female official.
He made comments like, ‘Why is there a female linesman? Someone’s really messed up.’
A second video also emerged of Gray speaking to reporter Andy Burton, in which the former Everton striker was seen making rude comments about Massey-Ellis’s performance.
Gray was fired on January 25, 2011, but apologized to the official.
Andy Gray (left), who was Keys’ (right) sidekick at Sky and talkSPORT, had his contract terminated by Sky
Gray (left) and Keys (right) had made derogatory comments about a female referee
3. Matt Le Tissier
Le Tissier was sacked by Sky Sports in August 2020, claiming he was fired for ‘questioning the story’.
He stepped down from the announcer role, along with Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas, as part of a major shake-up within the organisation.
Le Tissier caused a stir when he responded to comments about his and Sky’s public support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) campaign.
The former Southampton star also made headlines for his various conspiracy theories about the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
The 55-year-old decided to step down as a club ambassador at Southampton in 2022, but is still often seen at St Mary’s watching his team.
Matt Le Tissier was sacked by Sky Sports in August 2020 amid a major shake-up at the broadcaster
4. Ron Atkinson
Former ITV football analyst and Guardian columnist Atkinson resigned from the broadcaster in 2004 after racist comments were broadcast around the world during an analysis of the Champions League semi-final.
The comments were about France international and Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly, after a match against Monaco in April 2004.
The conversation was not broadcast, but was picked up by microphone and broadcast live on television.
Atkinson expressed deep remorse and apologised for his comments, subsequently resigning from both ITV and The Guardian.
The 85-year-old is now a pundit on William Hill’s The Punt podcast and on Manchester United’s television channel MUTV. He has also released an autobiography called ’60 Minutes with Ron Atkinson’ in which he reflects on his football career and his comments.
Former ITV football analyst and Guardian columnist Ron Atkinson resigned from the broadcaster in 2004
5. Rodney Marsh
After working for Sky Sports for many years, including 11 years at Soccer Saturday, Marsh was sacked by the broadcaster in 2005 for offensive comments about the 2004 Asian tsunami.
The former QPR and Manchester City striker made the comments during a live broadcast of the phone-in show ‘You’re On Sky Sports’.
He said: ‘Beckham turned down a move to Newcastle United because of problems with the ‘Toon Army’ in Asia.’
Marsh later apologised for his inappropriate comment, but Sky fired him.
A Sky Sports spokesperson said: “These comments should never have been made and Sky would like to apologise to those who were offended by them.”
Marsh also said: “I unreservedly apologize for any offense I caused with my thoughtless and inappropriate comment last night.”
After working for Sky Sports for many years, including 11 years at Soccer Saturday, Rodney Marsh was sacked by the broadcaster in 2005
“My intention was to make a light-hearted football joke.”
Marsh went on to work as a presenter on talkSPORT, co-hosting the station’s daily drivetime show with Paul Breen-Turner. He would subsequently leave in 2006 and has since appeared in reality TV shows including ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’.