Micah Richards has admitted the negative reaction towards him potentially becoming a new Sky Sports Soccer Saturday pundit "makes for some uncomfortable truths".
Sky announced on Wednesday that iconic trio Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson have been axed ahead of the coming season.
Between them the three former footballers have clocked up almost 50 years service, and were thought to be popular members of the team on the show.
And former Manchester City star Richards, who impressed during punditry duties on Sky last season, is among the favourites to take on a position on Soccer Saturday, along with Alex Scott.
But there has been a negative reaction towards the ex-footballer on social media, with Ian Wright slamming the "racially-driven" abuse aimed at black pundits.
And Richards is disappointed too, writing on Twitter: "I saw I was trending in relation to a brilliant & institutional Sky Sports TV show that I’ve never even been on.
"The underlying insinuation of tweets immediately linking mine & Alex Scott’s names makes for some uncomfortable truths. Peace and love."
Luther Blissett, another former footballer, has also given his verdict on the saga and says it is "unfair" that anyone is receiving abuse.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Thursday morning, he said: "It is very unfair and they have done nothing apart from when the opportunity has come for them and they deserve it, they present the show very well.
"And if the opportunity comes, great! But for this assumption to be made that they have been responsible for the sacking of these three former players is just ludicrous.
"People need to urm, people need to take a step back."
Indeed, the news has received a mixed reaction on social media, and a visibly emotional Wright posted a video on Twitter from his car expressing his anger.
Have Sky Sports made the correct decision to axe the trio? Have your say below.
"I've had to pull the car over. The racism is going through the roof today," he said.
"Somebody answer me this: what does Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Sol Campbell, Clinton Morrison or any other black pundit have to do with Sky's decision to get rid of these guys, all because three middle aged white guys have got the sack?
"What have these guys done? Because a black person or woman might get the opportunity to do this job? Why are people upset?
"Alex Scott, for me, is easily one of the best prepared pundits out there. Easily.
"Micah Richards is the most exciting pundit we've seen in years.
"Keep their names out of your stinking, unbrushed teeth mouths. Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson, they've had an unbelievable run, it's been a great show. This happens to everyone in the industry.
"This is Sky's decision to evolve the show. And I wish them all the very best. Yes, you can be disappointed that it's come to an end for those guys, they've done brilliantly.
"But why does it have to be racially driven? What's it got to do with Black Lives Matter or the fact that black people may get an opportunity to get those jobs? What?"
