Daily Mail: Barton claims Football Focus will be cancelled in Alex Scott jibe

Story from Daily Mail:

Joey Barton has suggested Football Focus could follow A Question of Sport in being cancelled by the BBC as he appeared to aim another jibe at the show's host Alex Scott.

The BBC confirmed on Friday night that the long-running sports quiz show had been cancelled after more than 1,300 episodes.

The corporation blamed inflation and dwindling ratings for the move, with the decision to halt production coming after long-running host Sue Barker was sacked, sparking fury among viewers.

A Question of Sport first debuted in 1970 and was and initially fronted by former Match of the Day reporter David Vine, but is best known for being presented by Barker, who captained the programme for 24 years.

Barton, who has generated headlines for his tirade over whether women should be broadcasting in football, blamed 'wokeness' and 'poor quality guests' for the cancellation.

The former Man City midfielder directed his comments at Football Focus host Scott, with the pair having previously clashed over his criticism.

""Wokeness" Killed it. Poor quality guests. Standards dropped,' Barton posted on X, formerly Twitter.

'So sad to watch it slowly deteriorate. It was essential viewing as a kid who loved sports. Just like Soccer AM.

"I’m hearing they’re about to do for Football Focus next? Hopefully not.

'Definitely, someone can make it work online. Won’t be long.'

Barton followed up with a tweet claiming he had to 'turn off' Football Focus on Saturday as he branded the programme as 'drivel' and 'nonsense'.

'36 minutes. Football Focus turned off. Sorry, Its just terrible,' Barton posted.

'Drivel and nonsense served with a side of boring. No wonder it’s getting canned.

'Well done to all involved. Another flagship destroyed by The Tokens.'

Barton's comments come after Mail Sport revealed in August that the 49-year-old programme had lost more than one third of its early-season audience in the space of four years.

The average weekly viewing figures for August had fallen from 849,000 in 2019 to just 564,000 at the start of this season.

The dramatic fall in viewing figures coincided with Scott replacing Dan Walker as Focus’ main presenter in 2021. In Walker’s last season before he was moved on the average weekly August audience was 827,000, before dropping to 809,000 in 2021, 599,000 12 months later and 564,000 this year.

Scott last week hit back at sexist digs made by Barton where he claimed before the weekend that women shouldn't be allowed to 'comment on men's football because they haven't played it'.

The former England star turned presenter gave an emotional monologue at the end of covering the Women's Super League clash between Arsenal and Chelsea last Sunday.

'Just before we say goodbye, to all the women in football, in front of the camera, behind it, the players on the pitch, to everyone that attends games, keep being the role models that you continue to be,' she said.

'To all those young girls that are told no you can't, football is a better place with us all in it.'

Scott's comments prompted another attack from Barton, who has been out of work since being sacked as Bristol Rover manager in October.

He tweeted: 'connntinnuuuuuuuhhhhhtuuuu [sic] what, sorry @AlexScott. I can't say you don't know men's football? You don't. Sorry. You don't have a clue. And you were a really bad player compared to even a Sunday League player.