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      Who is football pundit Eni Aluko?

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      ENI ALUKO has become a successful TV pundit since retiring from women’s professional football.The star hung up her boots in January 2020 after playing a whopping 102 times for England between 2004 and 2016.
      Eni Aluko is a TV pundit and former professional player

      Who is Eni Aluko?
      Eni Aluko MBE is a football broadcaster and former professional player.
      She was born on February 21, 1987, in Lagos, Nigeria and moved to Birmingham, England, with her family when she was six months old.
      Aluko played many sports as a child, including tennis, but found a love for football after playing with her brother, Sone Aluko, who also went on to become a professional footballer.
      As of 2024, Sone is signed by Ipswich Town but he has also played for Reading and Fulham in the past.
      Eni started her own football career with Leafield Athletic Ladies and went on to play for several big teams.
      Aluko has also had an impressive international career, representing England at three World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015) and two European Championships (2009 and 2013), as well as playing for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.
      In January 2020 Eni was named as the Sporting Director for Angel City FC, a team based in Los Angeles.
      She became the Director of Recruitment for the team in August 2022 but officially left the role in 2023.
      Who has Eni Aluko played for?
      Aluko had an illustrious career as a professional footballer before her retirement in 2020.
      The full list of teams that she represented can be seen below:

      2001-2004 – Birmingham City
      2004-2007 – Charlton Athletic
      2007-2009 – Chelsea
      2009-2010 – Saint Louis Athletica
      2010 – Atlanta Beat
      2011 – Sky Blue FC
      2012 – Birmingham City
      2012-2018 – Chelsea
      2018-2019 – Juventus

      Has she been a pundit before?

      Aluko is a successful and popular pundit, and made history when she became the first female pundit on Match of the Day in 2014.
      She continued punditry alongside her football career during the television coverage of the 2016 Euros, the women’s Euros in 2017, the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Women’s World Cup.
      Aluko was part of Amazon Prime’s pundit team for their coverage of the 2020/21 Premier League season.
      She also appeared on ITV’s coverage of the Euro 2020 tournament and is a regular face on the channel’s football coverage.
      What was the controversy surrounding her and Mark Sampson?
      In August 2017, Aluko accused the then-England manager Mark Sampson of “racist” comments
      Sampson was found by independent barrister Katherine Newton to have made “ill-judged attempts at humour, which, as a matter of law, were discriminatory on the grounds of race.”
      Newton added: “It was fundamentally important to emphasise that I have not concluded that MS is a racist.”
      It was alleged that Sampson had told Aluko to make sure her Nigerian relatives did not bring Ebola to Wembley and he also asked Drew Spence how many times she had been arrested.
      The FA was forced to issue an apology after it was found that they had known about the comments since 2016 and had cleared Sampson of any wrongdoing.
      Sampson later apologised, saying: “When players made complaints, they needed to be handled with the respect they deserved.”
      Most read in Euro 2024
      What did Joey Barton say about Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko?
      Joey Barton came under fire after he made comments about Aluko and another pundit, Lucy Ward, as part of a sexist tirade.
      The former Manchester City and Newcastle star called the stars “the Fred and Rose West of football”, referring to two of Britain’s worst serial killers.
      Over two decades, Fred and Rose West abducted, tortured, raped and murdered numerous young women.
      Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Barton posted in January 2024: “How is she even talking about Men’s football. She can’t even kick a ball properly.
      “Your coverage of the game EFC last night, took it to a new low.
      “Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, the Fred and Rose West of football commentary.”
      Celebrities like Piers Morgan,  Laura Woods and Bianca Westwood were quick to call out the comments on social media.
      Read more on The Sun
      ITV Sport also addressed Barton, saying in a statement: “For Joey Barton, an ex-professional player with a significant social media presence, to target two of our pundits, Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, with such vindictive remarks based on gender and to involve the names of serial killers in doing so is clearly contemptible and shameful on his part.
      “Football is for everyone.” More

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      Joey Barton slammed for calling pundits Eni Aluko & Lucy Ward ‘the Fred and Rose West of football’ in sexist tirade

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      ITV has lashed out at former footballer Joey Barton after he likened two female commentators to serial killers.The former Manchester City and Newcastle star has been slammed in recent weeks for launching sexist tirades against female pundits – who he claims “aren’t qualified” to talk about men’s football.
      ITV Sport have slammed Joey BartonCredit: PA
      He took aim at Former England player Eni AlukoCredit: AFP or licensors
      Barton likened her and Lucy Ward to serial killersCredit: Getty
      Fred with warped wife Rose, who was jailed for life for killing 10 girls
      This morning Barton, 41, took aim at pundits Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, who he called “the Fred and Rose West of football”
      Fred and Rose West were two of Britain’s worst serial killers.
      The pair abducted, tortured, raped and murdered numerous young women over 20 years.
      Speaking about Aluko, Barton tweeted: “How is she even talking about Men’s football. She can’t even kick a ball properly.
      MORE ON BARTON
      “Your coverage of the game EFC last night, took it to a new low.
      “Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, the Fred and Rose West of football commentary.”
      Barton has already been called out on social media by the likes of Laura Woods, Bianca Westwood and Piers Morgan as well as thousands of fans.
      And today ITV Sport hit back at the ex-pro.
      Most read in Football
      A spokesperson said: “For Joey Barton, an ex-professional player with a significant social media presence, to target two of our pundits, Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, with such vindictive remarks based on gender and to invole the names of serial killers in doing so is clearly contemptible and shameful on his part.
      “Football is for everyone.”
      It comes after Alex Scott was hailed as “total class” when she hit back at his sexist comments.
      Scott, 39 – who had said she “doesn’t want to give Joey Barton oxygen” – has now taken aim with a passionate message on live TV.
      The former Lioness and Arsenal star said during the BBC’s coverage of the WSL on Sunday: “To all of the women in football,
      “In front of the camera and behind it, to the players and everyone that attends games.
      “Keep being the role models that you continue to be to all those young girls that are told no you can’t.
      “Football is a better place with us all in it.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Barton is one of football’s most controversial characters, and served time in prison in 2008 for assault.
      His views also saw him appear on Piers Morga Uncensored. More

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      Fans admit they’re ‘tuning in just for her’ as Laura Woods wows again on ITV for Crystal Palace vs Everton

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      FANS have admitted that they are only tuning into the FA Cup in order to watch Laura Woods.Everton and Crystal Palace faced off in their 3rd round tie in the competition at Selhurst Park.
      Laura Woods presented ITV’s FA Cup coverageCredit: ITV
      Fans hailed her on social mediaCredit: ITV
      The match was televised live on ITV 4 and consisted of a panel of Eni Aluko, Jobi McAnuff and Laura Woods.
      While the match failed to spark much excitement in the first half fans were relieved to see Woods on their screens.
      The presenter wowed viewers in a smart black and grey outfit as she hosted the show.
      Fans flocked to social media to hail Woods, 36, as the only reason they were watching the coverage.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      One fan pined: “Laura Woods is 1 of 1. Tuned in 30 minutes before the game just for her.”
      A second wrote: “Thank god for Laura Woods.”
      A third commented: “Nothing wrong with Laura Woods. Excellent broadcaster.”
      A fourth said: “Being a simp for Laura Woods.”
      Most read in Football
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      She was joined on the show by Eni Aluko and Jobi McAnuffCredit: ITV
      Another added: “Laura Woods can do what she wants.”
      Recently, Woods shared a glimpse into her wholesome family Christmas with partner Adam Collard.
      She also wowed fans as they tuned into watch Anthony Joshua beat Otto Wallin.

      Inside Laura Woods’ glamorous life as football, boxing and NFL presenter…
      Laura is the face of TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage
      Laura regularly hosts DAZN’s boxing coverage as wellCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      She has gathered a huge social media following in recent yearsCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Laura presented coverage of Anthony Joshua’s bout with Jermaine FranklinCredit: Rex
      She has become TNT Sports’ main Champions League anchor this seasonCredit: Getty
      Laura also likes to let her hair down when not workingCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Laura is dating former Love Island star Adam CollardCredit: Instagram
      She also works for ITV on their coverage of the NFLCredit: Instagram
      She loves a day at the races during the summerCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      Laura has an enviable lifestyle and fans regularly go wild for her outfitsCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy More

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      How Arsenal legend Ian Wright went from untouchable pundit frozen out by BBC and ITV to one of the nation’s favourites

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      IAN WRIGHT has opened up on why he was snubbed for years by the BBC and ITV before making his comeback in 2015. The much-loved pundit quit Match of the Day 15 years ago after falling out with TV bosses.
      Ian Wright made his Match of the Day debut when he was still a playerCredit: TWITTER/IAN WRIGHT
      The Arsenal legend became a regular again on MOTD in 2015Credit: BBC
      But it came after he was axed in 2008 after a disagreement with TV bosses that lasted yearsCredit: Getty
      Wright is again set to step back from screens at the end of this season – but now on far better terms.
      The former England striker announced he is leaving MOTD”to do a few more different things with my Saturdays.”
      Wright made his debut on the iconic highlights show in 1997, while he was still playing in the Premier League with Arsenal at the time.
      After retiring three years later, he began working as a regular pundit in 2002.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He lasted on Match of the Day for six years before being axed and frozen out by the BBC following a dispute with chiefs.
      The Gunners and Crystal Palace legend was unhappy as he thought he was only being used for comedy purposes to stop tensions arising between fellow pundits.
      Wright said at the time: “I feel like I am just there as a comedy jester to break the ice with Alan Shearer and Alan Hansen, who just do run-of-the-mill things.
      “I can’t do that any more. People want something different.”
      Most read in Football
      Ian Wright making his first Match of the Day appearance with Des Lynam and Trevor Brooking
      Wright has become a much-loved part of the showCredit: BBC
      Wright has now lifted the lid on his 2008 departure from the BBC as he spoke to his Wrighty’s House podcast.
      He said: “There was a time I wasn’t on the BBC for about nine years, they weren’t happy with a column I’d done about punditry and where it should be going, how it feels a bit sterile.
      “And the fact that I said I feel like I’m on the end and I’m being like a court jester, I come in for the light comic relief.
      “I said I’ve got more to offer.
      “I remember being off the BBC for about nine years and I couldn’t get nothing at ITV because the guy that got rid of me on the BBC went to ITV.
      “It’s funny because the guy I’m talking about Niall Sloan, he is like in the television world a father to me in terms of how he explains things to me, how he wants me to be.
      “We’re very tight now. But I couldn’t get on any television.”
      Desperate to continue his role in the media, the 1998 Premier League winner with Arsenal embarked on a career in radio and it ended up being the start of his comeback journey to tele.
      It led to him getting the job as host of a documentary about Laurie Cunningham, who was a pioneer for black footballers.
      Wright explained: “This is where Absolute Radio came in and everyone down there almost saved me, made me fall back in love with doing it.
      “To get back onside with Sloan from ITV, he wanted to do a documentary about Cunningham and the people doing it said: ‘We can’t do a documentary without me speaking about Cunningham.’
      “And so Sloan was like: ‘Okay he’ll do it, but he’ll do it if you give him a game again, let him get back on the TV.’
      “So I done it, it done really well and they gave me a game.
      “They gave me Chelsea against Brentford in the FA Cup and I was very fortunate because I was on with Martin Allen, who was somewhere else in space while he was on TV.
      “Everything he was saying I was able to counter-attack it and say, ‘well that’s not right because of this.’
      “I remember David Luiz really dived into somebody and I remember digging him out for that and then after that people were writing in saying: ‘Where’s he been? Why isn’t he on then?’
      “And it just turned on its head, I was back.
      “What it made me realise is you’ve got to put the work in.”
      Wright ended up landing a more permanent role on MOTD in 2015 after helping to convince BBC chiefs while doing international fixtures on ITV.
      Leaving once again is a tough decision – but Wright believes he has made the right one, explaining: “The time’s come for it I think.
      “I don’t want to go too deep into what it means to me but the music, every time I hear the music, it takes me back to an unbelievable place when I first remembered what Match of the Day meant to me.
      “Then to get myself into a position where I was able to be good enough to be on Match of the Day and then be a regular, it was more than I thought it was going to be.
      “When I first went on, not very rehearsed in what I was going to say or what I was going to be, I was winging it and I remember Des Lynam, when he welcomed me on to the show, I said to him ‘this is my Graceland’.
      “Match of the Day was my Graceland.
      “When I first got the call for it, it does hit hard. You are nervous, because some people still don’t realise, It’s live.
      “People still say ‘it’s live?’ Yeah. Obviously the games are highlights because we’re putting all the stuff on it.
      Read more on The Sun
      “But while we’re sitting there, we’re live. It’s a live show.”
      Wright says he is “really looking forward to my last months” on the show and is hopeful his time on MOTD will end with his beloved Arsenal winning the Premier League title.
      Ian Wright and son Shaun Wright-Phillips did punditry together last seasonCredit: BBC
      Ian Wright has also worked for ITV following his axe from teleCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League’s four-year £6.7billion TV deal is testimony to the world’s greatest game

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      THE Premier League’s four-year £6.7billion TV deal is testimony to the world’s greatest game.Sky and TNT have already proved that they can provide football programmes of the highest quality, with no expense spared.
      The Premier League has signed a four-year TV deal worth £6.7bnCredit: Reuters
      Although BBC and ITV produce very watchable programmes, they don’t have the reserves to challenge the contract winners for the four seasons starting from 2025-26.
      Yes, it is a lot of money, too. And a good slice of that will find its way through the football pyramid, as well as to many good causes.
      There will be grumbles about the amount, of course there will.Mostly from those who are green with envy.
      I suspect they are not jealous of what we have but more of what they can’t have.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But those moans won’t come from the EFL as they are expecting to have a share of the money by tapping into the goodwill of the Premier League, this despite the fact that most will never play in the Prem — or contribute to it.
      But there’s no doubt that all the EFL’s interlocked divisions are very important to our game, not even mega-rich sheikhs or US billionaires are altogether ignorant of this — although it might be regarded as well below the status of a fourth wife or a racecourse stable.
      I suspect a shortly-to-be-appointed football regulator will be anxious to make a mark on the divvy-out of television earnings, otherwise known as a tax.
      To do this though, they will need some very ­specific primary legislation to take away a ­commercial organisation’s cash to give it to a competitor, otherwise known as nationalisation.
      Most read in Football
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      The regulator may cough and splutter all it likes but it has got to be aware that over-interference by such Government appointments has dangers in a similar way that welcomes to VAR have turned to hatred of delays and ridiculous rulings by people who think they see better but don’t.
      The new deal will help withstand the sweet talk of those barons of foreign clubs who, well aware of the success of the Premier League, tried and went much too close to forming a closed European Super League with six of our best.
      Some on the Continent still dream of potential supremacy, rather in the way of a fascist or communist government in waiting.
      The Premier League steams ahead, a massively successful organisation whose enterprise shames too many others in this country.
      No wonder that big businessmen want to butt in — Americans, Chinese, Arab States, even one or two Englishmen.
      And the world watches, too. The league has the biggest viewing figures of them all, and a number of different TV contracts abroad.
      Have no doubts, Fifa and Uefa see it as serious competition, which is why they simply love the idea of a UK regulator as they hope that will make the Prem less investable, less competitive and less agile.
      Let’s hope they are wrong.
      The Premier League is multi-nationalCredit: Getty
      English football has been dragged into multi-national eminence in the 30 years since the PL was founded.
      Dozens of countries are represented in teams to the extent that when, for instance, two South Koreans feature among the leading scorers — Son Heung-min of Tottenham and Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan —  no one here makes a point of it.
      It happens, full stop, new paragraph.
      Our clubs will stay top of the world’s watch list and continue to be a major industry, currently employing 94,000 people. That must not make the league a cash cow.
      Indeed, I have one or two reservations, in particular, that the increase from our current agreement is under the rate of inflation — and with 13 or 14 Premier League clubs all making a loss at the moment, I apologise if we are a  little slow in cracking open the champagne.
      This should be underlined by the fact that, quite simply, players’ contracts seem to be increasing at the same rate of inflation in Venezuela, some 360 per cent!
      Which is why the net debt of Prem clubs amounts to £2.67bn.Dust-dry information perhaps, but a worry in boardrooms.
      Still, as Hammers vice-chairman, I am proud that the league contributes £7.6bn to the wider UK economy.
      Read more on The Sun
      And volumes to audiences everywhere.
      It has to be one of the UK greatest exports — let’s hope it stays that way. More

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      BBC and ITV picks for FA Cup third round revealed as fuming fans say ‘ridiculous.. who wants to watch them?’

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      THE kick-off times and dates for the FA Cup third round have been released. With fans not happy about what fixtures have been selected for TV coverage.
      Spurs vs Burnley has been controversially chosen for TVCredit: PA
      Alfreton Town won’t get a mega-money payday should they beat Walsall in a replayCredit: Getty
      Matches will be on BBC and ITVCredit: @EmiratesFACup
      It all gets underway on January 4 as Crystal Palace welcome fellow Premier League side Everton at 8pm on ITV4.
      The match is scheduled for Thursday after talks with the Metropolitan Police.
      Cops were concerned due to ten London teams being drawn at home in the third round, stretching their resources.
      The day after, Tottenham face Burnley in another all Prem tie that gets underway at 8pm on ITV1.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The local derby between Sunderland and Newcastle kicks-off at 12.45pm on Saturday 6 January – another selected by ITV.
      With the 3pm blackout in place, the next instalment for fans will be at 5:30pm on BBC One as Middlesbrough entertain Aston Villa.
      The jam-packed weekend slows down with just one match live on Sunday – but it is a big one with Arsenal taking on Liverpool at the Emirates at 4:30pm on BBC One.
      And the third round will come to a close on Monday night at 8.15pm as Wigan play Manchester United on ITV1.
      Most read in FA Cup
      Maidstone United, who play in the sixth tier, will not be shown as they face Stevenage or Port Vale.
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      And non-league Alfreton Town need to overcome Walsall in a replay to earn a trip to Southampton – but that will also not be shown on tele.
      The selections made by the broadcasters have been slammed by fans as the lower league clubs have been snubbed from a mega-money payday.
      One said: “This is scandalous. Give the non-league teams some air time! I’d much rather watch Maidstone vs Port Vale/Stevenage than Tottenham vs Burnley. Disgraceful.”
      Another added: “My oh my they are stinking ties why are they selected for TV?”
      A third fumed: “What happened to the magic of the cup and giving lower league clubs a platform?”
      More commented: “Ridiculous who wants to watch them?”
      FA CUP THIRD-ROUND DRAW IN FULL
      Read more on The Sun

      Luton vs Bolton
      Shrewsbury vs Wrexham or Yeovill
      Arsenal vs Liverpool
      Stoke vs Brighton
      Norwich vs Crewe Alexandra
      West Ham vs Bristol City
      Tottenham vs Burnley
      Fulham vs Rotherham
      West Brom vs Aldershot or Stockport
      Southampton vs Alfreton or Walsall
      AFC Wimbledon or Ramsgate vs Ipswich
      Peterborough vs Leeds
      Millwall vs Leicester
      Watford vs Chesterfield or Leyton Orient
      Sunderland vs Newcastle
      Sheffield Wednesday vs Cardiff City
      Crystal Palace vs Everton
      Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
      Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool or Forest Green Rovers
      Wigan vs Man Utd
      Man City vs Huddersfield
      Blackburn vs Cambridge
      Gillingham vs Sheffield United
      Swansea City vs Morecambe
      Chelsea vs Preston North End
      QPR vs Bournemouth
      Coventry City vs Oxford United
      Brentford vs Wolves
      Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton United
      Maidstone United vs Stevenage or Port Vale
      Newport County or Barnet vs Eastleigh or Reading
      Hull City vs Birmingham City More

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      Euro 2024 TV schedule confirmed as BBC and ITV split coverage of England matches

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      ITV AND BBC have announced their Euro 2024 TV coverage schedule.The tournament kicks off on June 14.
      ITV and BBC have announced their TV coverage of Euro 2024Credit: AFP
      England’s group for next summer’s Euros
      England recently discovered who they would face in the group stage for the tournament, drawing Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia in Group C.
      And the Three Lions have now found out what time they will be playing and on what broadcaster they will be shown.
      Gareth Southgate’s side will kick off their tournament with a 8pm clash against Serbia on BBC on June 16.
      Game two will see England play Denmark at 5pm on BBC on June 20.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      England’s final group stage game against Slovenia will be on June 25 at 8pm on ITV.
      Fellow home nation side Scotland have also discovered when they play their games.
      Scotland’s clash with hosts Germany in Group A kick starts the tournament as a whole and will be shown at 8pm on ITV.
      Their second game will be five day later on June 19 against Switzerland at 8pm on BBC.
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      Game three against Hungary will be shown on BBC at 8pm.
      ITV will have the first three picks, plus the fifth and seventh picks from the Round of 16 fixtures.
      BBC will then have the first and third picks for the quarter-finals with ITV then getting the first pick for the semi-final.
      Both broadcasters will show the final.
      Should Wales qualify into Group D through Play-off A, BBC will cover their opening game against the Netherlands on June 16 at 2pm.
      ITV will show the next game against Austria at 5pm on June 21 before their final game versus France is shown on BBC at 5pm.
      The Euro 2024 group stage draw in full More

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      Who does Clive Tyldesley commentate for now?

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      CLIVE TYLDESLEY is one of the most iconic football commentators of all time.The 69-year-old has commentated on some of the biggest games in the sport such as the Champions League and World Cup finals – but who does he currently work for?
      Clive Tyldesley working alongside Andy Townsend for ITV at Euro 2012Credit: GETTY
      Who does Clive Tyldesley commentate for now?
      Clive Tyldesley is currently working for ITV Sport, Amazon Prime Video, Rangers TV and CBS Sports in the USA.
      The legendary broadcaster was demoted from being ITV’s lead commentator back in 2020.
      Since then he has been heard covering the Champions League overseas for CBS Sports.
      Tyldesley is also working for Amazon Prime Video this season commentating on selected Premier League games.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He will be on commentary duties at Bramall Lane on December 6th as Sheffield United host Liverpool.
      The 69-year-old has regularly commentated on games for Rangers TV since he joined in 2020.
      Tyldesley has also worked on talkSPORT’s radio coverage of the Premier League before leaving in the summer of 2023.
      Why did Clive Tyldesley leave the 2022 World Cup early?
      Tyldesley left the World Cup in Qatar early after he found out that he would not be commentating on a live quarter-final for ITV.
      Most read in Football
      The 69-year-old was the broadcaster’s lead commentator for 22 years between 1998 and 2020, before being replaced by Sam Matterface.
      According to the Mail, Tyldesley decided to fly home after only being asked to provide commentary for a highlights show during the quarter-finals. More