BBC row over Football Focus as Alex Scott responded to Dan Walker's comment

Alex Scott presents Football Focus from 2021. Photo: BBC

The BBC's Football Focus is at the center of a row between Alex Scott and Dan Walker over a weak programme.

The 49-year-old show is said to be facing crisis talks after losing more than a third its audience for four years, and the leading player is former England international Scott. its coverage following Walker's departure as main anchor in 2021.

Mark Lawrenson, who was sacked last year after appearing on the program for 25 years, said Football Focus had «served its time» while the BBC insisted the Show remained popular with viewers.

Walker, who moved to Channel 5 last year, wrote on X: “It’s hard to imagine Football Focus struggling. I loved this show growing up and it was an honor to present it and I still miss it.

“We put everything into this show every week and worked hard to keep it relevant. I hope it remains part of the television landscape.»

Dan Walker wrote on X that he thinks it 'It's hard to imagine Football Focus experiencing difficulties' Photo: David Cannon Collection/David Cannon

Scott responded with «interesting» to what online readers perceived as a dig at her predecessor, before Walker said the series was facing challenges in a competitive market.

“I'm not saying you didn't [work hard] Alex,” Walker said. “It’s a saturated market and you have to work hard every week. I hope you have a good performance today.”

The row came a week later when the BBC snubbed English rugby by turning down the opportunity to show the Red Roses' upcoming matches against Canada — despite being offered the rights. free.

England will host World Cup semi-finalists Canada, ranked fourth in the world, at Sandy Park this Saturday and at Stonex Stadium on September 30. Both matches will be warm-up games for Team Canada. new WXV global competition.

Both matches were offered for free by the BBC in the hope that they could be shown on at least the BBC iPlayer. But the corporation, which is two years into a five-year deal to show the Six Women's Nations, is understood to have refused to show both games. In response to a request from Telegraph Sport, the BBC said it does not comment on negotiations over sports rights.