Mark Lawrenson says he was sacked by the BBC because he's a 'white male'

Mark Lawrenson has claimed he was sacked by the BBC because he's a 'white male'.

The former Liverpool defender spent 30 years as a pundit for the corporation.

Image: Alamy

He was an ever present on Football Focus, having enjoyed 25 years on the programme.

But he was relieved of his duties in March of this year as they told him of the format changes to Football Focus.

He bemoaned the manner of his departure as he revealed that he was asked to attend a meeting in Manchester over a phone call.

However, he sensed that he was being axed by the broadcasters and asked for the news to be given there and then.

He told The Sunday Times: "I am like, 'Just tell me now what you are going to tell me.'

"I didn’t want to drive 50 miles to Manchester for somebody to tell me over a cup of coffee I am not working next year."

Image: BBC

Lawrenson added: "The Beeb are probably the worst at giving you bad news. It was just, 'We are going on the road next season with Focus. We don’t think it is really something for you.'

"I just wish they had said to me at the start of my contract last year, 'You’ve had a great run, thanks very much and you are not working next season.'"

Asked why he was let go by the BBC, he replied: "Well, I’m 65 and a white male. So, you know...

"In all my time at the BBC, nobody ever said you can’t say this or that, but the woke thing drives me bonkers.

"Whereas normally you would say the first thing that comes into your head, you’re now thinking, 'If I say that will I get into trouble?'

"It was a bit like playing with your legs tied together. The BBC is the national broadcaster and I get that, but they are frightened to death of upsetting anybody."