Richard Keys has claimed that the BBC will soon axe Match of the Day following the cancellation of Football Focus - and has leapt to the defence of Alex Scott. The broadcaster announced on Thursday that Football Focus, which first aired in 1974, will come to an end next month once the current Premier League season concludes.

Scott has fronted the show since 2021 following the exit of long-standing presenter Dan Walker. However, Keys does not believe her involvement is the reason behind the programme's cancellation.

The former Sky Sports presenter, who now works for beIN Sports in Qatar, argues that 'viewing habits have changed' - and that Match of the Day 'will be next'.

"It's not Alex Scott's fault Football Focus has folded - it's a sign of the times," Keys posted on X.

"MOTD will be next. Viewing habits have changed. That's why Grandstand & World of Sport ended. And Sportsnight. Pre-show & post-show wrapped around live games will go soon as well."

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Match of the Day underwent a fresh change this season, with three new hosts sharing the presenting duties left vacant by Gary Lineker's departure. Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan now jointly helm the BBC's flagship football programme, reports The Mirror.

Scott also stated on Thursday that she had planned to step down from Football Focus in May - and had already made the BBC aware of her decision.

"I always knew this would be my last season on the show, which the BBC were aware of too," Scott posted on Instagram. "My intention was to move quietly into the next chapter, but sometimes things change.

"When this show began all those years ago, social media wasn't a driving force, podcasts didn't exist, and there was no instant access to information in the way there is today. Now by the time we go on air the reality is you've already seen it, debated it and lived it across so many platforms. That shift has changed the whole industry.

"TV audiences have been declining for years, while digital and on-demand viewing continues to grow. To have been part of it has been incredibly special, and I'm so grateful and proud of the eight years I've been involved , including the five years I've had the honour of presenting it.

"It has been such an important part of my life, working with some of the very best people in the business, both on screen and behind the scenes. I've loved so much of it, the conversations, the laughter, and sharing so many big moments with you, the audience. Thank you for being part of it."

The final edition of Football Focus is scheduled to broadcast over the weekend of Saturday, May 23, serving as a preview to the concluding round of this season's Premier League matches.