Micah Richards walked past Gabby Logan out of the BBC studio (Image: BBC)
Micah Richards walked out of the BBC‘s studio in an amusing moment live on air after England’s goalless draw with Ghana. The Three Lions had the chance to secure their spot in the World Cup round of 32 as Group L winners but could not break through a stubborn Ghanaian defence. Thomas Tuchel’s men came closest when substitute Nico O’Reilly hit the crossbar late on before captain Harry Kane blazed the rebound over.
Nonetheless, the BBC punditry panel, fronted by host Gabby Logan, spent almost an hour dissecting the match. Logan was joined by three former England internationals in Richards, Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart to talk through it. Former Premier League referee Darren Cann also briefly joined the quartet to discuss a controversial decision while co-commentator Alan Shearer appeared to offer his post-match thoughts live from Boston’s Gillette Stadium. Yet Richards had clearly had enough towards the end of the broadcast, once the coverage had moved from BBC One to BBC iPlayer.
Towards the end, host Logan told her colleagues, “I’m staying here actually!” That’s because the revered presenter was hosting the Beeb’s coverage of Croatia vs Panama just moments later. Richards replied to her: “Are you?” To which Logan said: “Yeah we’re back on BBC One in a few moments’ time. Six minutes’ time.”
But Richards responded: “I’d love to stay and chat!” And then walked straight past Logan and out of the studio without saying another word. The former defender’s actions sparked wild laughter from all of Logan, Rooney and Hart. It’s little wonder he was so keen to get away, with Richards enjoying his 37th birthday today (June 24).
Before the BBC’s closing montage, Logan signed off with: “Thanks so much for joining us on iPlayer, do go back to BBC One. Kick-off is midnight for Panama and Croatia. I’ll be there with a couple of enthusiastic new pundits!”
The BBC team were working from their studio in Salford, with the Beeb having been criticised for not flying their pundits out to the United States. Rivals ITV have a glitzy studio with a beautiful backdrop of New York City, by contrast.
Earlier in the show, Richards bemoaned England’s lax passing as he analysed the reason they couldn’t find a way through Ghana.
The 13-cap former Three Lions international said: “That was Ghana’s tactic, they were going to go in that low block and frustrate England. They did exactly that. I think the frustrating thing for me was, England weren’t brave enough.
“We talked about Croatia when they were in their formation, they [England] knew what they wanted to do, they were energetic and then, yes, we knew full well they’d come up against a low block but can you unpick it?
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Micah Richards walks out of shot out of the studio (Image: BBC)
Micah Richards in conversation with Gabby Logan before walking off (Image: BBC)
“I just feel people were making too many safe passes. You’ve got to be more brave when you come up against a team in that low block. Panama are going to do the exact same. I thought the weight of pass was off today.
“I thought England would win. I thought they would score early and the game would open up. In terms of how Ghana approached the game, same with Panama, they’re going to be in the low block. We mentioned Cole Palmer, Phil Foden…
“I like everything Tuchel’s done. I think he’s made big decisions at the right times and I respect him for that. But my worry was, when we go against a team in a low block, have we got someone to produce one of those moments of magic?
“Tonight I feel as though, not that we want to talk about players who were not there, but it was stark. It was obvious for everyone to see. When we’re not on transition, where Madueke is so good and the rest of the guys, when you’re in them tight little pockets, can you produce something? There wasn’t that tonight.
“I think they’re growing and it’s a confidence thing. If Saka was fully fit he’d be starting and he can do that as well as running in behind as well. In terms of risk today, there wasn’t enough for an England team that won so well against Croatia.”
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