Mark Lawrenson has hit out at 'woke' broadcasters BBC over the manner of his exit, citing the fact he is '65 and a white male' as one of the reasons for his departure.
The Liverpool legend was part of BBC Sport's punditry team for 30 years, regularly appearing on Match of the Day alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen while later appearing on Football Focus with Dan Walker and, more recently, Alex Scott.
In March, Lawrenson was told he would play no further part on the show and recorded his final episode in May before the FA Cup final. A montage of his best bits were shown and he said to Scott at the time: "I'm going to miss it.
"There's so many things to talk about. The only thing about today is my daughter is supposed to be here but she's at university so she's probably still in bed! So Ruby get up! I'll only enjoy it if Liverpool win in all honesty. This is the best squad I think we've ever, ever had. They've been playing so well. They play ugly and win, they play well and win. And they've got a fantastic manager. So long may it be that way."
But now, in an interview with The Times, Lawrenson has expressed his bitterness over leaving the show.
"The Beeb are probably the worst at giving you bad news,” he said. “It was just, ‘We are going on the road next season with Focus. We don’t think it is really something for you.’ I haven’t watched the programme since to see if they have gone on the road."
Pressed for an answer on BBC's real motives behind his exit, he added: “Well, I’m 65 and a white male, so you know...". Lawrenson also said he began to feel like he couldn't say what he really thought for fear of upsetting someone, claiming the 'woke thing drives him bonkers'.
Football Focus isn't the only show to chop and change its line up with Soccer Saturday cutting adrift its regular crew. Phil Thompson, Matt Le Tissier and Charlie Nicholas were all axed in favour of a new line up.
Lawrenson addressed this, and said: “I spoke to Tommo and it caught him completely by surprise. Is the show any better? No. Not as good? Yeah. It was just a strange, strange thing to do. Now they go around and do theatres and they’re packed out.”
