Richard Keys has claimed that Graeme Souness was sacked by Sky Sports due to his “man’s game” gaffe earlier in the season.
Souness has left Sky after 15 years as a pundit, with the broadcaster deciding not to renew his contract. He announced the news live after working on Liverpool ’s dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham on April 30.
The 70-year-old former Liverpool captain and manager was emotional while speaking about his exit and thanked all his colleagues. He said he would miss working on live Premier League games but added that Sky was “in good hands”.
There was no visible bitterness towards his employer, but Keys, who was himself sacked by Sky Sports in 2011, has offered a theory behind the move. Writing in his blog, the beIN SPORTS anchor relays information from what he calls a “Sky insider” that the parting of ways was not mutual.
He wrote: “It turns out it was decided to dispense with Graeme’s services the moment he referred to football being a ‘man’s game’. Remember? He used that phrase after Chelsea ’s 2-2 draw v Spurs in August.
“His comments caused a bit of a stir. He was clumsy in his phraseology. He didn’t mean harm, but you can’t say that anymore. Football is simply a game – enjoyed by everyone. And we should celebrate that.
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“I think most people felt that Graeme had been clumsy and he’s a much loved character, so they were happy to give him the benefit of the doubt - but senior management at Sky certainly weren’t. They decided that was it. He’d be out at the first opportunity.”
Sky Sports maintain that the decision was mutual, with the pundit's contract with Sky ending this season.
Speaking on Sky Sports after a feisty draw between Chelsea and Tottenham at the start of the season, Souness said: “Referees are letting a lot more go and it allows for a better watch. It’s a man's game all of a sudden now. I thoroughly enjoyed both games today.”
He received a huge online backlash for his comments, with Lioness Bethany England and former player Eni Aluko among those to accuse him of belittling women’s football. But he later doubled down on his comments, telling talkSPORT he didn’t regret “a word” of what he said.
Keys also speculated that long-serving commentator Martin Tyler could be in trouble after being accused of racism for comments about Tottenham forward Son Heung-min. Mirror Football have contacted Sky Sports for comment.
Souness himself has suggested that he still wants to continue working in the media. “I will be 70 on Saturday and I’m still very much open for business,” he wrote for the Daily Mail recently. “My passion for football is undimmed and I certainly still feel I have a lot to offer.”
Speaking on Sky Sports, he added: “Nothing goes on forever, but I’ve got a lot of things coming up. I’m involved in my DEBRA charity and on the 27th of this month I’ll announce the challenge I’m getting involved in. But it’s been great so thank you to everyone.”
