Gordon Strachan’s media career appears to be over following comments about Adam Johnson.
The former England winger was recently released from prison for child sex offences and seems highly unlikely to find a club in the UK prepared to employ him and deal with the media backlash.
Since being sacked by Scotland Strachan has built up a number of regular media slots including work with Sky Sports and TalkSPORT.
Appearing on a Sky Sports programme the former Manchester United midfielder responded with the single mindedness that has made him so popular for media work. Instantly there was a backlash on social media, earlier today The Guardian reported:
Gordon Strachan will no longer be used by Sky Sports after controversial comments in which the former Scotland manager appeared to conflate the convicted sex offender Adam Johnson’s situation with racial abuse.
Johnson has recently been released after serving three years in prison for engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old, and the former England winger has not ruled out a return to football.
Strachan in his role as an occasional contributor on last week’s Debate show, said: “If he goes on to the pitch and people start calling him names, have we got to do the same as it is to the racist situation? Is it all right to call him names now after doing his three years – have we got to allow that to happen?”
Strachan is not a Sky employee so is not subject to its disciplinary protocols but the broadcaster has distanced itself from his remarks and it is understood he will not be used again. A Sky statement said: “The comments were made by a guest on The Debate. Of course Sky Sports does not support the comments and we’re sorry for the offence they have caused.”
PA is seeking a response from Strachan or his representatives.
Other media companies wanting to use Strachan would face a backlash over his views with pressure placed on advertisers to disassociate themselves.
In 2004 Ron Atkinson vanished almost overnight from media work after an out-take emerged.
Most famously Andy Gray and Richard Keys were sacked by Sky Sports in January 2011 despite almost 20 years of being the television face of Premier League football.
