Football Focus pundit Martin Keown has passionately defended the show and presenter Alex Scott following Simon Jordan’s sharp criticism. The BBC has confirmed that this will be the final season of the Saturday lunchtime show, more than 50 years after it first aired. The decision was not without its critics, with former host Bob Wilson also questioning the move. England centre-back Keown has been a familiar guest face both during Scott’s time as host and under her previous hosts, and has made his feelings clear when it comes to his colleague.
Changes in viewing habits have been put forward as a key factor behind the change, and Scott is likely to remain a prominent figure within BBC sports broadcasting. But talkSPORT pundit and former Crystal Palace owner Jordan took aim at the former England women’s international, questioning her “charisma and acumen”. This led to Keown displaying a passionate defense while the pair locked horns. “It’s not fair…the show isn’t going forward because of Alex Scott,” Keown said. He told Jordan he believed the show was evolving in response to changing circumstances, including different levels of behind-the-scenes access and the pressures of live football, and urged Jordan to adopt a more “respectful” approach.
“Criticizing someone and being able to withstand that criticism is not the same as having to show respect,” Jordan argued. “If someone deserves respect, you show it.
“I don’t particularly think that no matter who was there (as a presenter), the show has moved in the direction of where people want to consume content over the years.
“It wasn’t straightforward. There wasn’t a lot of insight into it. There were a lot of discoveries. It was very low-level, very soft.
“That’s not the focus of the football I grew up watching, and it wasn’t the same when I watched Mark Lawrenson, and it wasn’t the same when I watched the other players that were out there, and especially when I watched Dan Walker, who I’m not a big fan of.”
Jordan’s comments come after Keown previously put forward his own theory as to why Football Focus didn’t last. “Currently, live soccer games are being broadcast from 12:30 p.m., so it may be affecting viewers,” he said.
“Alex Scott is doing an extraordinary job. I don’t think it’s reflective of her. I think it’s just a change in mood. Now it seems as if digital is the way to go, but I think what it brought was groundbreaking.”
BBC sports director Alex Kagelski has admitted the Scot is not going anywhere, despite the end of Football Focus. The 41-year-old will be part of the broadcast team for this summer’s Men’s World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup, and will maintain her role in this year’s sports personality presenter lineup.
Addressing the topic of Football Focus directly, Kay Jelski said: “Football Focus is a hugely important program in the history of BBC Sport, playing a key role in telling the story of the game to generations of viewers. This decision, which comes ahead of the BBC’s wide-ranging savings announcement last week, reflects the continued change in the way viewers engage with football and our commitment to evolving the way we deliver content that fans can watch wherever they are.”
