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      Sky Sports NOT planning to add Micah Richards or Alex Scott to Soccer Saturday panel this season after huge overhaul

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      MICAH RICHARDS and Alex Scott are not expected to be part of the new revolving Soccer Saturday panel on Sky this season.
      Sky’s decision to axe long-time studio guests Charlie Nicholas, Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson brought suggestions that Richards and Scott would be parachuted in.

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      Alex Scott is not expected to join Sky’s panel for Soccer SaturdayCredit: Splash News

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      She and Micah Richards have been lined up for match punditry duties insteadCredit: BBC
      But the pair have been lined up for match punditry duties rather than sitting in front of TV screens on a Saturday afternoon.
      Sky chiefs have decided not to have a permanent panel alongside host Jeff Stelling, with the likes of Matt Murray and Clinton Morrison likely to appear as well as retained veteran Paul Merson.
      Fans were devastated when the trio of Nicholas, Le Tissier and Thompson, who had worked for the broadcaster for almost 50 years combined, were let go.

      Scott Minto was then added to the cull after 13 years with the broadcaster.
      But Arsenal legend Wright, 56, took to Twitter to blast viewers who said black pundits such as Richards and Scott were the reason behind the others losing their jobs last month.
      The former England striker labelled the vile social media trolls “racists” with “stinking unbrushed-teeth mouths” in the video.
      He said: “I’ve had to pull the car over – the racism is going through the roof today.

      “Can someone answer me this: what does Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Sol Campbell, Clinton Morrison or any other black pundit have to do with Sky’s decision to get rid of these guys?
      “All because three middle-aged white guys got the sack… I kiss my teeth.”

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      Five Premier League clubs make up Europe’s ten most-valuable squads

      Wright added: “Why are people upset? Alex Scott, for me, is easily one of the best-prepared pundits out there. Easily.
      “Micah Richards is the most exciting pundit to hit the scene in years.
      “Keep their names out of your stinking unbrushed-teeth mouths.”

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      Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas were axed in a shock move by the Soccer Saturday after almost 50 years combined as part of the team

      Arsenal legend Ian Wright responds to ‘racists’ blaming black pundits for Sky’s Soccer Saturday sackings More

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      All September’s Premier League matches will be broadcast live on TV after a U-turn by the 20 clubs

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      ALL this month’s Premier League matches will be broadcast live on TV after a U-turn by the 20 clubs.
      As SunSport revealed yesterday, a hastily-arranged virtual meeting of the 20 “shareholder” clubs saw them fold in the face of demands from fans and the Government.

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      All September’s Premier League matches will be broadcast live on TV after a U-turn by the 20 clubsCredit: Getty Images
      The League had agreed to increase the number of matches screened live on TV this season from 200 to 220.
      But that left 160 matches without live showing, including 11 of the games due to be played behind closed doors this month.
      Now, following the furore, the clubs have agreed to change their stance with all 11 matches now shared between the Prem’s four broadcasters, Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime and the BBC.
      Amazon and the Beeb will show one match each on September 26.

      The switch means a series of changed kick-off times this weekend.

      More to follow…
      For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online.
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      BBC may be handed live matches if Premier League clubs vote to screen every behind-closed-doors match

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      THE BBC could be awarded more live Premier League matches this season if clubs vote to screen all behind-closed-doors games.
      That would mean a dramatic U-turn on their decision to block fans from watching up to 160 games on television.

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      The BBC could be awarded more live Premier League games next season Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Top-flight clubs will debate whether to continue screening matches during the pandemicCredit: EPA
      The Government has urged the Premier League to “follow the spirit of Project Restart” in making more games available to fans on TV.
      And clubs have now agreed to reconsider their refusal to allow more than 220 games to be shown live at a shareholders’ meeting on Thursday.
      The Telegraph claim that all twenty top-flight sides will hold talks this week to decide whether to continue screening their fixtures while fans remain banned from being in stadiums.
      The Premier League initially began talks with its broadcast partners to potentially screen every match from the beginning of the season until the start of October at the least.

      Those include Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon, but also the BBC, which became the first terrestrial broadcaster to air live Prem matches earlier this year.
      The Beeb also set the record for the most-watched Premier League game ever after it broadcast Southampton’s shock 1-0 win over Manchester City.
      However, the company’s radio coverage and Match of the Day show drew fewer numbers.
      And the report claims the Beeb are wary of that with highlight show MOTD costing them £211.5million in rights for the 2019-22 seasons.

      Yet sources at the rights holders, via the Telegraph, are expecting the BBC to be awarded at least one fixture if the Prem reverse their screening stance.
      That would mean the BBC showing one of the 11 games not already selected for broadcast by lead broadcasters Sky Sports and BT Sport.
      The two rivals have already swooped to show every one of Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City’s this month.
      As with Project Restart, Sky, BT and Amazon would be expected to be given nearly all the other remaining matches.

      A potential split would see Sky awarded six or seven, BT two or three and Amazon and the BBC one each.
      Sources were not expecting the Premier League to present an alternative method of screening the eleven matches – such as via clubs’ own websites.
      A pay-per-view model is also unlikely to be approved at this stage.

      Premier League 2020-21 opening day fixtures revealed More

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      Soccer Saturday replacements for sacked Le Tissier, Nicholas and Thompson set for LIVE auditions on Sky Sports

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      SOCCER SATURDAY’S new pundits are set for live auditions on Sky Sports.
      As revealed by SunSport, the broadcaster decided to sack Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson.

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      Sky Sports are preparing to conduct live auditions to work out who will replace Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie NicholasCredit: Sky
      The trio joined Jeff Sterling on our telly boxes for almost 50 years combined before the shock bombshell announcement to get rid.
      Now, as reported by the Daily Mail, Sky are preparing to decide on the new regular line-up with live shows to give potential candidates a shot.
      That will start with a shortened version of the show today to cover the Carabao Cup matches.
      Paul Merson, Danny Gabbidon, Clinton Morrison, Jamie Mackie and Paul Cook are the pundits chosen for the first Soccer Saturday of the season.

      Merson, Morrison and Glen Johnson are among the favourites to land a permanent spot in the Soccer Saturday squad.
      Man-at-the-ground and funnyman Chris Kamara’s live updates from matches may also be a thing of the past with the former Bradford boss potentially being brought into the studio.
      Stelling will be back in his familiar role – although the popular host suggested he may walk away after 25 years of relentless facts and fun.
      Confirming their decision for the shake-up as they consider a more diverse team, Sky told SunSport: “We are changing some parts of our football coverage.

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      The Soccer Saturday team are keen to add diversity to the line-up after years of white, middle-aged menCredit: Sky

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      Jeff Stelling is ready to host his first show of the season but has not decided whether he will stay on yetCredit: Dan Jones – The Sun

      Thanks for all the messages of support – and even for most of those who have a different view as I believe in free speech. So far no discussions have taken place, no decisions made. Only I know what I am thinking but it is important to listen to all arguments. Thanks again
      — Jeff Stelling (@JeffStelling) August 28, 2020

      “Matt, Charlie and Phil have done a great job for us over the years, and they will leave us with our sincere thanks and very best wishes.”
      Stelling appeared gutted by the news, writing on Twitter in reply to Le Tissier: “One of my saddest days ever at Sky Sports with the departure of three of my best mates. They have been part of a team that for me was the best.”
      Le Tiss sparked a Twitter storm this week after referencing Anne Frank in an apparent defence of people who do not wear face masks.
      He retweeted a photo of the Holocaust victim with the caption “Remember this”.
      The image said: “The people who hid Anne Frank were breaking the law. The people who killed her were following it.”
      The ex-Southampton star has been outspoken in his belief that face masks should not be mandatory.
      Following a heavy backlash, Le Tissier later deleted the post and issued an apology.
      He said: “Apologies for the recent tweet. Obviously taken out of context so I’ve deleted it so there’s no confusion.”

      Arsenal legend Ian Wright responds to ‘racists’ blaming black pundits for Sky’s Soccer Saturday sackings More

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      Premier League urged to make EVERY game held without fans available on TV by the government

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      THE Government has urged the Premier League to “follow the spirit of Project Restart” in making more games available to fans on TV.
      Supporters are slowly being allowed back into grounds as the coronavirus pandemic subsides, with small-scale trials underway.

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      The Government has urged the Premier League to make every game available live on TV until fans can returnCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Broadcasters are nonetheless only increasing their TV selections by a small number ahead of the new campaign.
      Furthemore, no games are expected to be made available for free.
      On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport urged the league to find a solution that suits fans.
      A statement, via the BBC, read: “Our focus is on working with the football authorities, safety and medical experts to get fans back in stadia as quickly as possible.

      “It is for the Premier League and its broadcast partners to come to an agreement on screening matches.
      “However we urge them to follow the spirit of Project Restart and listen to clubs’ loyal fans and consider what can be achieved in the meantime.”
      ENDLESS FUN
      Each of the final 92 games of last season was broadcast by either Sky Sports, BT, Amazon or the BBC.
      With fans still not allowed in grounds en masse, there have been calls to continue the wall-to-wall coverage when the 2020/21 campaign begins later this month.

      An extra 20 games means 220 are due to be shown, leaving 160 off screens and potentially completely unviewable in the UK.
      The Football Supporters’ Federation has described the situation as “totally unacceptable”.

      A statement read: “Regular match-goers will not always be able to watch their team as fans are not expected to be readmitted to stadiums until October.
      “Eleven games during September will therefore be played behind-closed-doors with no regular match-goers in the UK able to watch those games through legal means.
      “The FSA’s Premier League Fans Network finds this totally unacceptable.”
      It added: “As a matter of urgency top-flight supporters urge the Premier League to resolve this issue. Do not stop fans from watching their teams during a global pandemic.
      “It would be a disastrous decision by the Premier League and they must listen to supporters.”
      Meanwhile, EFL fans will be allowed to stream every one of their games next season via their club’s website.

      The Premier League campaign begins on September 12 with Arsenal’s trip to Fulham on BT Sport.
      Opening weekend fixtures including Crystal Palace versus Southampton and West Ham’s game with Newcastle are not set to have fans or be broadcast on any channel.
      Last weekend, Brighton allowed 2,500 fans into their stadium for the pre-season friendly with Chelsea and further trials are set for women’s and non-league football in the coming weeks.

      Fans return to English football for first time in six months as Brighton host Chelsea in friendly at Amex stadium More

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      Robert Lewandowski plans to play until he’s 40 and insists current Bayern Munich contract isn’t his last

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      BAYERN MUNICH striker Robert Lewandowski insists that he can carry on playing football until the age of 40.
      Lewandowski, 32, has no plans of slowing down any time soon and said that he feels ‘better now than he did at 26’.

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      Lewandowski rounded off a terrific season with Bayern by winning the Champions League

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      Lewandowski believes he can still perform at the highest level despite his ageCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Speaking to bavarianfootballworks.com Lewandowski said: “I don’t think about the end of my career, I don’t feel like 32, I feel better than when I was 26.”
      His comments come off the back of a great season with Bayern, who won a prestigious treble, capping it off with an epic Champions League win against PSG earlier this month.
      He also achieved some great personal feats last season, finishing the top scorer in the Bundesligia and the Champions League, with 34 and 15 goals respectively.
      The Polish legend also scored six goals in the German Cup, to take his season tally to an incredible 55 goals from 47 games for Bayern.

      The accolades didn’t stop there for Lewandowski who was also crowned the player of the season in Germany.
      But he did miss out on the Ballon d’Or, which was scrapped amid the coronavirus pandemic, which he feels he should’ve won with ease if given the opportunity.
      When asked who would win the award, Lewandowski confidently said: “Myself” when speaking to polish news site Sportowe Fakty.
      He added: “We won everything we could with Bayern. In every competition: Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League, I was the top scorer.”

      Lewandowski scored more goals than both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in Europe last season, who both would’ve been his main rivals if the awards had gone ahead.

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      With most of his peers in the final throes of their careers, Lewandowski is ready to enter a new phase of his.
      Retirement isn’t even an after-thought for the Polish goal-machine, who believes he can compete at the top-level for at-least another decade.
      When asked about how long he thinks he has left to play, Lewandowski told Sky Sports Germany: ‘Ten years? Maybe eight.
      ‘The current contract is not my last. I want to play longer. And I want to achieve even more, my colleagues in Munich think the same way.’

      Ballon d’Or 2020 AXED for first time in 64 years due to coronavirus in blow to favourite Robert Lewandowski More

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      Steve Lee dead at 68: Tributes paid to much-loved BBC and Sky Sports reporter and broadcaster

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      TRIBUTES have poured in for legendary Sky Sports and BBC broadcaster Steve Lee following his death aged 68.
      He covered football and cricket in the Midlands for over 30 years with both his face and voice a familiarity to the region’s sport fans.

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      Tributes have poured in for legendary Sky Sports and BBC Midlands broadcaster Steve Lee following his death aged 68
      His daughter Rebecca confirmed the tragic news on Monday, tweeting: “It is with the heaviest heart that I share that we lost our lovely Dad, Steve Lee, very suddenly on Sunday.
      “We are coming to terms with the news and will share details of the funeral when we are able to. Love you Dad.”
      The grandfather’s death was met with huge sadness.
      And a host of tributes flooded in on social media, with Gary Hughes, Sky Sports Director of Football, leading them.

      He wrote: “Everyone is shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Steve,a great friend of Sky Sports.
      “Steve was a highly respected reporter within the industry and an informative voice on Sky’s Football League coverage.
      “We will miss him very much. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

      BBC Midlands tweeted: “It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of our former sports presenter Steve Lee at the age of 68.

      “A superb broadcaster who will be sadly missed.
      “The thoughts of everyone here at BBC Midlands Today are with his family and friends at this time.”
      Coventry City’s official club account tweeted: “We’re sorry to learn the news that Steve Lee, who covered the Sky Blues for BBC Midlands and Sky Sports for many years, has sadly passed away.
      “Our thoughts and condolences are with Steve’s family and friends at this sad time.”
      And as the sad news continued to be spread, more flooded in:

      Devastated to hear that former BBC and Sky TV presenter and reporter Steve Lee has suddenly passed away. A warm genuine guy who I enjoyed much banter with. Thoughts with his family at this time RIP pal
      — Tom Ross (@thegoalzone) August 31, 2020

      Very sad day to hear of Steve Lee’s passing. When I was a cub reporter at the BBC, he was THE face and voice of Midlands football. I worked more closely with him at Sky. Consummate professional, brilliant live, cheery demeanour, and all round good guy who will be sadly missed.😔
      — Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) August 31, 2020

      Genuinely saddened to hear of my former Sky Sports colleague Steve Lee’s passing. We covered the midlands in opposition when he ruled the BBC and together at Sky. He was, Steve, simple as that, a good operator and bloke. Love to the family and friends he leaves behind. RIP ❤️
      — Pete Colley (@petecolley) August 31, 2020

      Really sorry to hear the sad news about Steve Lee passing away. Always loved chatting to him at the Sky studios. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time ❤️
      — Matt Murray (@MattMurray20) August 31, 2020 More

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      Matt Le Tissier jokes he’s keeping his ‘chins’ up after Sky Sports sacking and thanks fans for support

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      MATT LE TISSIER joked he is “keeping his chins up” following his shock Sky Sports Soccer Saturday sacking. The former Southampton star, along with Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson, were given the boot on Tuesday in a remarkable move by the TV company who have been aggressively cutting staff numbers. Football fans have since slammed […] More