Axed Match of the Day pundit Mark Lawrenson claims BBC bosses threatened to drop him from the World Cup final over a ‘handbag’ joke

Former Match of the Day pundit Mark Lawrenson has claimed BBC bosses threatened to exclude him from the 2014 World Cup remaining after he made a 'purse' joke within the earlier match.

Lawrenson had spent three many years with the company, working as each a pundit and co-commentator, earlier than leaving on the finish of the 2021–22 soccer season.

The previous Liverpool defender defined The Disruptors Podcast He stated he was warned by his BBC superiors after a joke he made through the last-16 match between Argentina and Switzerland.

“Switzerland had taken the lead and this participant was in entrance of the goalkeeper and the rating was 0-0 and on the finish of the sport you have been pondering if he scores right here Argentina will probably be out,” Lawrenson stated.

'He didn't actually make any determination about something however the goalkeeper got here on and stopped him from scoring.

'I feel it should have crossed my thoughts that “wow, take a look at that, he was so busy serious about his purse he didn't rating”.

'After the sport the boss stated to me “you possibly can't actually say that, you're in all probability not going to be commentating on the World Cup remaining”. He had just a little assembly and got here again and stated “you're going to try this”, I stated “okay, thanks very a lot”.

'Within the World Cup remaining the rating was 0-0 for a very long time and Argentina received a free kick and I'm saying “Women put your baggage down and decide”. You recognize nothing was stated.'

'It's a type of silly stuff you say, if you're within the recreation you assume “let's do one thing”, I'm positive [commentator] Man Mowbray was laughing, they have been all laughing.'

Lawrenson confronted criticism from followers on social media throughout a World Cup last-16 tie in 2014 – however not for the purse joke, as the previous co-commentator claimed.

The BBC acquired 172 complaints after Lawrenson commented that Switzerland striker Josip Drmic 'ought to have worn a skirt' after a weak shot towards Argentina, feedback that have been described as offensive and sexist.

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom additionally acquired six complaints.

The BBC stated in a press release on the time: 'We recognise that the feedback made by commentator Mark Lawrenson about Switzerland's Josip Drmic have been inappropriate and we apologise for any harm they could have brought about.'

Lawrenson has beforehand taken goal on the BBC after he steps down from his position in 2022.

Earlier this yr Lawrenson described the company as 'prime of the woke league' after he once more claimed he was dropped from his place as a pundit as a result of he was '65 years previous and white'.

Lawrenson claimed in 2022 that he was instructed the BBC's Soccer Focus present was going to 'cease' and that bosses had instructed him 'we don't assume it's actually for you.'

The transfer led to Lawrenson's one-year contract not being renewed, and the pundit subsequently determined to retire.

When requested on the Ben Heath podcast if the BBC had 'gone woke', Lawrenson replied: 'Gone woke? It's prime of the woke class.'

'They're scared to demise, utterly and totally scared to demise.

'You've seen what's occurred with Gary Lineker and clearly the important thing folks on the BBC and I feel, day-to-day, the integrity of the company is being eroded.

'It was completely incredible, however they’re conscious, 100 per cent conscious.'