Richard Keyes has defended Alex Scott, claiming the BBC will soon scrap Match of the Day following the cancellation of Football Focus. The broadcaster announced on Thursday that Football Focus, which first aired in 1974, will end next month at the end of the current Premier League season.
Scott has been fronting the show since 2021, following the departure of longtime host Dan Walker. However, Keyes does not believe her involvement was the reason for the program’s cancellation.
The former Sky Sports presenter, who now works for beIN Sports in Qatar, insists that “viewing habits have changed” and that Match of the Day will “be next”.
“It’s not Alex Scott’s fault that Football Focus went out of business. This is a sign of the times,” Keys wrote on X.
“Next up is MOTD. Viewing habits have changed. That’s why Grandstand and World of Sports ended. And then Sports Night. Pre-show and post-show centered around live games will also end soon.”
Match of the Day has made new changes this season, with three new hosts filling the vacancy left by Gary Lineker’s departure. Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan are now co-leading the BBC’s flagship football program, the Mirror reports.
Scott said on Thursday that she was due to resign from Football Focus in May and had already informed the BBC of her decision.
“I always knew this would be my last season on the show and the BBC knew it,” Scott wrote on Instagram. “My intention was to quietly move on to the next chapter, but sometimes things change.
“When this show started many years ago, social media wasn’t the driving force, podcasts didn’t exist, and we didn’t have the instant access to information that we have today. Now, the reality is that by the time we air it, you’ve already seen it, discussed it, experienced it on so many platforms. That shift has changed the entire industry.
“While television viewership has been declining for years, digital and on-demand viewing continues to grow. It’s incredibly special to be a part of that, and I’m so grateful and proud to have been involved for eight years, including the five years I had the honor of presenting this show.”
“Working with some of the best people in this industry, both on screen and behind the scenes, has been such an important part of my life. I loved the conversation, the laughter, and sharing so many great moments with the audience. Thank you for joining me.”
The final edition of Football Focus will be broadcast over the weekend on Saturday 23 May, previewing the final round of Premier League matches this season.
