Rachel Riley has quit Sky Sports’ ‘Friday Night Football’.
The ‘Countdown’ maths genius has reportedly decided to walk away from her TV football punditry gig after she suffered a barrage of online abuse when she called Tottenham Hotspur’s performance a "proper bottle job" after the 1-0 defeat to West Ham shattered the team’s hopes of winning the Premier League.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "At the end of the season she contacted the head of football saying she felt it wasn’t right to be part of that programme. This was something she was considering in advance of the West Ham-Spurs match."
Sky have also confirmed that they have decided not to renew Rachel’s 12-month deal, despite the excitement she created when she first joined the couch last year.
After she realised she’d upset some football fans with her remarks on the show, Rachel immediately took to her Twitter account to apologise and defend her comments.
The 31-year-old presenter – who is well-known for being a football fan and a strong Manchester United supporter – wrote at the time: "Didn’t mean any offence to Spurs or their fans tonight just a surprise to slip v WHam with their form on paper. Personal abuse is hideous. For the record I didn’t say Spurs are bottle jobs but tonight’s game was a test of nerve. I love football, always have, always will, banter is fun, abuse is not whoever/whatever/wherever #respect. (sic)"
It’s not yet known whether Rachel will continue to host Sky’s ‘Fantasy Football Club’ with Max Rushden and Paul Merson.
Rachel Riley quits Sky Sports’ Friday Night Football
