Sky Sports’ first Soccer Saturday panel for new season after regulars’ exits

Sky Sports have confirmed their four-man panel for the Premier League’s opening weekend.

The show, which has become part of English footballing culture, saw several of its regulars axed recently.

Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson were all given their marching orders despite their years of service.

The top flight resumes this weekend and the four-man panel will feature Tim Sherwood, former Stoke boss Tony Pulis and former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison.

The trio will appear alongside Paul Merson, who has been a regular on the show, with Jeff Stelling reprising his role as presenter.

Sky Sports received plenty of backlash for their recent decision and pundits Alex Scott and Micah Richards bore the brunt of fan anger.

Many felt as if the broadcaster’s motivation for sacking the aforementioned trio was based on diversity grounds.

But neither of them will be part of the panel despite being regulars when it comes to analysing games.

Sherwood, Pulis and Morrison, while appearing this weekend, are not necessarily set for lengthy stays with sources telling the Athletic that a final panel has not been settled on.

Stelling desribed the dismissals of Le Tissier, Thompson and Nicholas as the “saddest day ever”.

Chris Kamara, who presents the now axed Goals on Sunday, told the Daily Mail : “Decisions were made, we don’t have any say in those.

“Whoever made (them) has done it and the boys accept it. I can honestly say they are the best fellas you could ever wish to meet.”

The Premier League has only one 3pm kick-off on Saturday – Southampton’s clash with Crystal Palace – but there are nine games in the Championship.