Soccer Sack-urday: Sky Sports give Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson the boot from Jeff Stelling's flagship football results show despite 50 years of collective service as they cut staff numbers
Jeff Stelling expressed his sadness at 'three of my best mates' in Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas being sacked by Sky Sports from their positions as pundits on Soccer Saturday.
The trio are familiar faces for weekend football viewers, who tune in for live updates on the scores up and down the country.
But a huge revamp has seen the three old-school stars axed from their positions and Stelling, who anchors the show, was left to bemoan 'one of my saddest days ever' during his time with the broadcaster.
Matt Le Tissier has been axed from his role as a pundit on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday show
Jeff Stelling, who anchors the popular show, described it as 'one of my saddest days ever'One of my saddest days ever at Sky Sports with the departure of three of my best mates,' Stelling tweeted. 'They have been part of a team that for me was the best.'
All three men were reportedly told on Tuesday during a meeting with broadcasting chiefs that their time on the iconic show had come to an end.
Former Southampton superstar and England ace Le Tissier, 51, was a hugely popular member of host Stelling's Saturday team, though has courted controversy several times in the past.
Earlier this season Le Tissier caused a stir when responding to comments regarding his and Sky's public support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) campaign, saying he would be evaluating his own personal stance.
Le Tissier says he was asked by bosses to wear the Black Lives Matter badge, but stressed he 'could not support' the cause's anti police and capitalist aims.
The 51-year-old hit out at the movement's 'far-left ideology' – as black footballer Karl Henry also branded the group 'divisive'.
Le Tissier broke his Twitter silence on Wednesday to thank those who he has worked with
Like Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas has also received the chop from Sky ahead of next season
Earlier this month Le Tissier announced he would be temporarily quitting the social media platform Twitter, saying he had been repeatedly targeted by cyber bullies who were attempting to force him out of his job.
The Southampton legend had been outspoken on social media about various subjects including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In the wake of personal criticism, the retired playmaker released a lengthy statement detailing his position, before later going on to deny that he identified as an 'anti-vaxxer.'
Le Tissier had wrote: 'Yes I've made mistakes and errors of judgment in the past, which I regret, but I believe the good I've done far outweighs the mistakes.
'I have huge sympathy for anyone who loses someone close to them by whatever health reason, I recently lost my grandad so I know how it feels.
'You trolls and bots out there who try to belittle me with your snide remarks trying to make out I'm some uncaring individual who has no empathy, you couldn't be further from the truth and I feel incredible sorry for you that there is so little joy in your life that you resort to this.
'I truly hope you find happiness soon.'
Long-serving pundit and former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson will also be leaving
Thompson said his 22 years on the show were 'great' and wished the show luck going forward
Le Tissier has since returned to Twitter following the news breaking of his departure, writing: 'Enjoyed my time at sky sports, time to look forward to life's next challenge, thank you for the support down the years and special thanks to the backroom team... good luck all have a lovely day.'
Like Le Tissier, former Liverpool captain Thompson had also been a mainstay on Sky broadcasting, and seen as a charismatic figure on the show.
Speaking on Twitter following his dismissal, he said': 'I’ve had a great 22 years with @SkySports.
'Enjoyed every minute with some amazing people on the show and behind the scenes which made it the iconic show it is today. Good luck to Sky, Jeff, Merse and the new gang on @SoccerSaturday.
Thompson, Le Tissier and Nicholas regularly traded jibes with each other, while letting out instantly recognisable squeals of delight or anguish at goals or near misses.
It is now expected Sky Sports will bring in new faces for the coming campaign, in order to freshen up the popular football show and keep Soccer Saturday current. '
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