Richard Keys has warned Sky Sports legend Martin Tyler that he could soon endure the same fate as Graeme Souness, who was secretly 'sacked' by the broadcaster.
Keys, who resigned from Sky in 2011 after making comments about a female linesman which were deemed to have been sexist, claims that Souness was indeed sacked by chiefs and didn't leave on his own accord as widely believed. Ex-Sky presenter Keys alleges that Souness' remarks from last August in the wake of Chelsea's fiery clash with London rivals Tottenham - as the former Liverpool captain and manager declared that the match showed football was still "a man's game" - was the catalyst behind his exit.
With his contract expiring at the end of the 2022-23 season and after what Sky say was a mutual agreement to part ways, Souness announced his exit in April following 15 years as one of the broadcaster's most regularly-appearing football pundits. Now working for beIN Sports, based in Qatar, Keys reckons that legendary commentator Tyler - another of his ex-Sky colleagues - should also be 'looking over his shoulder' after recently landing himself in hot water.
Tyler, 77, was last month perceived to have made an inappropriate comment towards Tottenham's South Korean forward, Son Heung-min, who'd made a wild challenge on Liverpool opponent Cody Gakpo. On commentary, the long-serving stalwart compared Son's attempt to stop Gakpo to "martial arts," with the Spurs star being shown a yellow card.
The 77-year-old promptly received a wave of criticism for his comment and a Sky Sports spokesman told Mirror Football : “Martin Tyler has been reminded of need for care with his wording. No offence was intended."
After "revealing the truth" about Souness' sacking thanks to speaking to a "Sky insider," Keys wrote on his blog : "If I was Martin Tyler I'd be looking over my shoulder after what were described as his 'racist comments' about Son Heung-min recently.
"Again - I'd say Martin was simply clumsy, but you can be sure the incident is on file somewhere at Gillette Corner. And I think I know who the Guardian of that file will be - the same person that did for Graeme."
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Last year, Tyler was forced to apologise live on air when Wales hosted Ukraine for their World Cup qualification play-off final, during which he said that visiting goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan would have to "soldier on." Critics argued that his comment was insensitive amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Tyler has worked for Sky since 1990, having previously offered his tones to ITV. The Daily Mail claim that he isn't ready to put down his microphone yet, even though he turns 78 later this year.
Tyler, who lives in Surrey, is also assistant manager of non-league club Dartford, lending a hand to boss Alan Dowson. Having also been by Dowson's side for four years at Woking - who Tyler supports - the commentator chose to leave his role in February 2022 when his long-time confidant left the cub.
