Rachel Riley leaves Sky after “hideous” personal abuse

Oli Fisher
Rachel Riley: Hosts Friday Night Football

Rachel Riley has left her position at Sky Sports after being subject to “hideous” personal abuse, according to reports.

Riley, also on Countdown, steps down from her position as co-host of Sky Sports’ Friday Night Football, which she anchored with Jeff Stelling.

She caused a last month after title hopefuls Spurs’ dream of winning the Premier League were once again dashed.

Riley said on screen: “It’s deja vu for Spurs isn’t it, a proper bottle job.”

According to the Birmingham Mail, Tottenham were not happy with the remark, with a source reportedly saying: “It was made clear that Spurs weren’t happy at all.”

Riley responded to the criticism, stating: “Personal abuse is hideous. For the record I didn’t say Spurs are bottle jobs but tonight’s game was a test of nerve. I said the game was a bottle job.

“Not the same as calling the team bottle jobs as is being circulated.”

A Sky Sports source said: “At the end of the season she contacted the head of football, saying she felt it wasn’t right to be part of that programme. This was something she was considering in advance of the West Ham-Spurs match.”

Sky pundit Gary Neville has had his say following the news, taking the side of Riley.