Former Sky Sports host Richard Keys has hit out at his ex-employers over their treatment of current reporter Geoff Shreeves. The pitchside interviewer is reportedly at risk of losing his job despite over 20 years of service at the broadcaster, as a huge shake-up is looming at the organisation.
The Daily Mail claimed that Shreeves could be in danger of being axed as the broadcaster considers more changes, having already made plans to cancel Soccer AM - a show that had been running for nearly 30 years. Shreeves has been an ever-present in Sky Sports' Premier League coverage, having joined the team in 1992 but could find himself looking for a new gig.
His touchline and post-match interviews have become a staple of the broadcaster’s shows, but an impending shake-up has brought plenty of uncertainty at Sky. It is not the first time that the organisation has parted ways with a famous face, as Andy Gray was sacked in 2011 and Richard Keys followed by resigning amid their sexism scandal for derogatory comments about female referee Sian Massey.
The duo have since pitched up in the Middle East and front beIN SPORTS’ coverage of the league, as Keys has hit out at his former employers for their treatment of Shreeves. “Management at Sky should be ashamed of themselves leaking stories about @GeoffShreeves & others,” Keys wrote on Twitter. “They have no backbones. Their time will come. See you for a glass at the weekend Billy. [Drink emoji] On me.”
Geoff Shreeves has been working at Sky Sports since 1992. (Image: Getty)
While also at Sky Sports, reporters have been told that they will have to reapply for their jobs, including those that work on Soccer Saturday. A Sky Sports spokesperson said: "Our coverage of football is evolving to reflect the changing habits of our viewers and ensures we continue to deliver the best experience for customers.
"Our proposal would mean the creation of new roles, and the closing of some existing roles, and we are currently in a consultation period with our people."
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Richard Keys has slammed his former employers Sky Sports. (Image: beIN SPORTS)
Management at Sky should be ashamed of themselves leaking stories about @GeoffShreeves & others. They have no backbones. Their time will come. See you for a glass at the weekend Billy. ������ On me. ������������������.
It is not the first time Sky Sports have made unpopular job cuts, as they decided to axe several big names following the Covid pandemic as Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier were let go in 2020.
Regulars on Soccer Saturday with Jeff Stelling, the host himself announced his intention to leave before reversing the decision.
Sky Sports are reportedly set to move in a new direction, pushing the reach of their ‘content creators’ as opposed to sports reporters according to The Telegraph, who claim that one option would be a reduction of 13 jobs to 12 - keeping seven reporters alongside five content creators who would work on digital content and Soccer Saturday.
