The BBC announced on Thursday that Football Focus, which has been broadcast for 52 years, will not return next season, raising fears that the day’s matches will be the next to receive the ax.
Richard Keys shares his opinion on the cancellation of Football Focus (Image: beIN Sports)
Richard Keyes has defended Alex Scott, claiming the BBC will soon scrap Match of the Day after canceling Football Focus. The corporation 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 hosting the show since 2021, following the departure of longtime host Dan Walker. But Keys doesn’t think her presence was the reason the show was canceled.
The former Sky Sports presenter, who now works for Qatar’s beIN Sports, insists Match of the Day is “next” because “viewing habits have changed”. “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.”
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Match of the Day has taken on a new look this season, with three news presenters sharing the presenting role, which was left vacant by Gary Lineker. Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan are currently co-hosts of the BBC’s flagship football show.
Scott also revealed on Thursday that he intended to leave Football Focus in May, something he had already told the BBC. “I always knew this would be my last season on the show and the BBC knew it,” she 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.
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Alex Scott has been the host of Football Focus since 2021 (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
“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 Last Football Focus will be broadcast over the weekend on Saturday 23 May to preview the final round of Premier League matches this season.
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