When Micah Richards isn’t smiling, you know you’re in trouble.

Jamie Carragher’s attack on Kate Abdo, in which she threw a verbal grenade that jokingly seemed to suggest she was not faithful to her partner Malik Scott, made for hard watching.

If you saw it on CBS Sports Golazo during Arsenal’s coverage against Porto in the Champions League, you will immediately remember the cringe. Maybe you screwed up your face, maybe you covered your eyes, maybe you pulled your T-shirt over your head, Fabrizio Ravanelli style.

Even if you don’t live in the United States or watch CBS’s Champions League coverage, there’s a chance the clip has appeared on your social media timeline — as is usually the case with CBS’ banter segments.

If you’re not familiar with CBS, host Abdo and guests Carragher, Richards and Thierry Henry helped revolutionize soccer coverage in the United States. Their mix of analysis and verbal jousting is very good and very watchable. Their chemistry is undeniable and infectious.

CBS responds to this by cutting out the funniest moments and distributing them on social media. If you live in Britain and still harbor an addictive urge to scour Twitter, you’ll probably be more familiar with the comedy than the analysis, especially the mick-taking intros that follow a formula involving Henry and Carragher’s performances are enlarged and then a comment on the lack of silverware Richards won in his career (despite the Premier League title).

Henry will raise his eyebrows and purse his lips, Carragher will make an exaggeratedly loud exclamation sound, Richards will shout something like, “Kate’s gone for BIG MEEKS.”

Anyway, it’s all in good fun.

On this particular occasion, however, Carragher’s full-throttle chatter was not tweeted by CBS. It didn’t even make the channel’s 10-minute YouTube compilation of “best of our reporting” because it was awkward.

Carragher, wearing an Arsenal top lobbed from the crowd, suggests that Henry and Abdo wear it next.

“I’m loyal,” she says. “To who?” Carragher asks. “Manchester United, thank you very much,” Abdo replies.

“Not to Malik,” says Carragher. Oh damn. Richards, who rarely comments, stares silently at his shoes. Henry turns and looks at Carragher. Abdo seems shocked: “What… how would you even say that?”

Carragher laughs nervously and bellows a line about how Malik’s name hasn’t been mentioned on the show yet. It’s extremely cringe and only lacks a disapproving groan from Gary Neville.

The jousting was nothing new, it’s an important part of the show, but is it okay? Is it acceptable? Even if it was a joke, is this what we want from our broadcasters?

Or is it just a transgressive moment that was completely unavoidable, while it seems like presents and pundits are encouraged to create ‘snippets of banter’ that go viral on social media?

“The format of our show is quite light-hearted,” Carragher has previously said The Athletics. “I’m just very determined to make good TV. Kate can push and some people want to be pushed.

“Some people I couldn’t say certain things to. That’s why we have that relationship where we feel like we can all get away with anything. Everyone knows it’s fair game and if you leave yourself open, you have to expect what’s coming.”

If they like formatting the show that way – locker room jokes for a mainstream football audience – and people like watching it, what’s the problem?

In this case the line was clearly crossed and to be fair to Abdo & Co this was expertly discussed at the start of the following evening’s show.

Another HIT @kate_abdo introduction pic.twitter.com/SeyhgMfeGU

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 13, 2024

Abdo said that in the three and a half years the group has worked together, she has gained three brothers, whom Carragher calls the annoying middle child who can say anything to get attention, who can go too far but will always apologize. Nicely done.

The Athletics Also contacted CBS for comment.

When the game’s lawmakers are flirting with making football matches shorter because people don’t have enough attention spans to watch 90 minutes, you can completely understand why broadcasters feel the need to produce snappier shows with shorter segments and light entertainment to keep the viewer entertained. rather than an hour of solid pre-match interviews and forecasts.

It feels like we’re in the second era of football banter. The first was, well, very much of its time, ending in 2011 when Richard Keys’ prehistoric ramblings collapsed (‘Keysy’ even had the audacity to take to social media this week to denounce Carragher and the show couples because they were ‘too exaggerated’. pally”).

Around this time, Neville joined Sky and ushered in the smart, analytical era with his Monday Night Football deep dive and expected goals and all that came with it.

There was still room for it bantz but it was weak overall as everyone figured out what the new status quo was in a post-Keys/Gray world.

Charlie Nicholas tried, “Well, maybe you should go too then Jeff, ’cause you couldn’t see it the other day you were driving home, ’cause on TV you don’t even wear your glasses in case you get slaughtered, so just stay to Specsavers and I’ll play the game.” Precisely.

And now we are at Banter 2.0. Football coverage for the social media age; controversial statements or snappy jokes that can be quickly cut into twenty seconds and retweeted by thousands. This era gives us Roy Keane telling people to do their job, Alan Shearer not winning the FA Cup and Big Meeks bursting onto the scene. Even Neville has embraced the soundbite era. He sings Chelsea songs before the Carabao Cup final because he doesn’t like Liverpool.

A reflection of society in 2024? A good show with one bad moment? Or should we strive for better from our football coverage?

As Abdo said in the clip addressing Carragher’s comment – ​​which has been viewed more than 13.7 million times – “Here we are, another day, another show.” The chatter continues.

(Top photo: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

HARRY KANE left Jamie Carragher red-faced after refusing to “lie on national television” about their friendship.

Honest ‘Arry went from England skipper to pundit in a funny interview live on CBS Sports.

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First, Kane sank Lazio as his two goals helped Bayern Munich to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-0 win in the second leg.

He then also shot Carragher – after the Liverpool legend was taken to task over his relationship with the ex-Tottenham striker.

CBS host Kate Abdo opened by asking Kane, “Jamie said earlier this week that he called you and spoke to you. Is that true or false?”

The grinning goalkeeper replied: “Eh, that’s not true.”

There is laughter from Carragher’s studio colleagues Thierry Henry and Micah Richards.

A smiling Carra burst out, “H! Don’t do this to me!

‘I tell everyone in America that we are friends, that we have a great relationship. I can’t believe you just did that to me!’

Kane tried to soften the blow by adding, “We’re friends, but I’m not going to lie on national television.”

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But poor Carragher was made to squirm again when Bayern’s summer signing Abdo asked if the ex-England defender even had his phone number.

“Um, we exchange messages on Twitter – we’re Twitter friends,” was the response.

And when Carragher, 46, referred to an online exchange they had a year ago, Kane added: “I appreciate it.”

The 30-year-old was in good spirits after reviving his Germany side’s sputtering season.

Kane’s header in the 38th minute broke Lazio’s resistance to level the last-16 tie on aggregate.

And after Thomas Müller gave Bayern a 2-0 lead, he struck from close range.

It boosts their hopes of avoiding their first season since 2011-12 without winning a trophy.

But the Bundesliga champions are ten points behind domestic leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

And manager Thomas Tuchel has announced he will leave in the summer.

JAMIE CARRAGHER ridiculed Martin Odegaard after the Arsenal captain played a starring role in the win over Sheffield United.

The Gunners took on the Blades and defeated the Premier League’s bottom side 6-0, extending their winning run to seven games.

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Odegaard opened the scoring as Arsenal scored their 10,000th goal thanks to Ben White.

The result gives Mikel Arteta’s side the chance to go top of the Prem with a win over Brentford on Saturday, but the celebrations were slightly more subdued compared to the win over Liverpool last month.

After that win, Carragher criticized Arsenal for celebrating too much and singled out Odegaard after pinching the photographer’s camera to take his picture.

Appearing on Monday Night Football, Carragher couldn’t resist the chance to have some fun with the Norwegian and managed to make him laugh.

He said: “Martin, it was a fantastic performance from yourself, a great win for the team – I just didn’t see the photographer on the pitch.

“Is he in the locker room, are you guys going to get together?”

Odegaard laughed off Carragher’s mockery and hit back, saying: ‘That’s what I was waiting for. I was waiting for you to say something.

“I was too scared to do it today, so I went straight in today.”

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Odegaard also responded to Carragher at the time of his criticism, asking: when can we celebrate?

He said: “Anyone who loves football, who understands football, knows how much it means to win this match.

“And if you can’t celebrate when you win a match, when can you celebrate? We are happy with the victory and remain humble.

“We continue to work hard and prepare for the next one, but of course you have to be happy when you win.”

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ERIK TEN HAG has hit back at Jamie Carragher for his criticism of Manchester United, suggesting he has a bias towards them.

The leading pundit grilled the Red Devils with his assessment of their performance in the defeat to Fulham on the Monday Night Football show on Sky.

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Carragher said: “Twenty seconds into the game against Fulham this has been the problem for Manchester United all season, there is space between the back four and the midfield.

“We look at why they are poor defensively and cannot handle counter-attacks: they have no pace at the back and a lack of legs in midfield.

“People say: ‘There are no playing patterns at Manchester United, how do they play and what is the philosophy?’

But Ten Hag says the former Liverpool Champions League winner has been against United from the start and is not objective in his views.

Ten Hag said: “First of all, some analysts are very objective in their comments, very good advice, some are very subjective.

“Jamie Carragher has been critical from the start and now he wants to make his point clear.”

Yet the under-fire United boss agreed with some of Carragher’s assessments, particularly in the manner in which United started Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat.

He said: “He probably had a point in the first half hour.

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“The way Fulham set up their midfield was a surprise and then we have to find the solutions.

“After half an hour we found the solutions.”

But Ten Hag even admitted that his team lacked the necessary ‘passion’ in the first half.

“I wasn’t happy with the defense’s performance, especially on the left side, how we pressed because they came out,” he said.

“Especially in the first half hour several times on the left side and that is not possible and that has to do with willingness, spirit, passion.

“That has been very good for this team in recent weeks and that is why we have won football matches.

“I know that footballers are not robots, sometimes they have bad days. But that cannot be the case, it is unacceptable. We have to do better tomorrow, but in the weeks before we did very well.”

United take on Nottingham Forest in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the City Ground tomorrow.

FANS have slammed Jamie Carragher for his “failed” comments after Virgil van Dijk scored Liverpool’s Carabao Cup winner against Chelsea.

The big Dutchman jumped in the final minute of extra time to seal another trophy for Jurgen Klopp.

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Van Dijk’s late impact brought Carragher alive after Chelsea missed several chances to take the lead at Wembley.

And the Reds legend claimed the centre-back winner “shows football isn’t just about money.”

However, supporters were quick to respond to Carragher’s words.

That’s because Van Dijk himself cost £75 million when he joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018.

The deal made him the most expensive defender in the world at the time.

Van Dijk is now the third most expensive, after Harry Maguire’s £80m Man United transfer from Leicester, and Josko Gvardiol’s £77m Man City transfer from RB Leipzig.

But fans still responded to Carragher’s “failed” comments on social media.

One said: “Carragher ‘it’s not all about money’ as £75m centre-half scores the bloody winner!”

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Another stated: “Winning goal scored by the most expensive defender in the world…”

One commented: “He says it as Van Dijk heads in the winner for £75m.”

Another added: “What kind of expert is this? He’s talking as if Liverpool haven’t spent 800 million euros since Klopp arrived.”

Carragher’s comments came after fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville branded Chelsea’s ‘billion pound bottlejobs’.

He said live on air: “In extra time it was Jurgen Klopp’s children against the billion pound blue bottles.

“Liverpool was absolutely sensational. Those young players were incredible. Klopp must be so proud.

“For Chelsea, however, I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. Mauricio Pochettino’s players have shrunk. They have shrunk before our eyes and before their fans.”

JAMIE CARRAGHER hilariously joked that Kate Abdo is a secret Arsenal fan after comparing her outfit to an old yellow Gunners shirt.

Liverpool legend Carragher, 46, enjoyed Tuesday's Champions League matches on CBS Sports alongside presenter Abdo, Arsenal icon Thierry Henry and ex-Manchester City man Micah Richards.

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But he immediately had a stab in the tail for the CBS presenter at the end of the broadcast by targeting the broadcaster's choice of clothing.

As Abdo, a Manchester United fan, prepared to end the show, Carragher interrupted him and said: “We discovered something tonight.

“We found out that we don't have just one Arsenal supporter [Henry]we have two Arsenal supporters [Richards, boyhood Arsenal fan]Would you believe we have three here tonight?”

The camera then cut to Abdo, who was wearing a yellow and black top, before an image of Arsenal's 1991-93 banana top popped up next to her.

Carragher continued: “Someone said something about my style. Who looks like the Arsenal fan? Kate Abdo. She thinks it's Versace, it's the Gooners.

'Look at her, she's taken the example of the Gunners.'

And fans on social media were left in stitches by Carragher's jovial banter with Abdo after the Reds icon left his own response to the video with two laughing emojis.

One viewer said: “Carragher is wrong about this .”

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Another said: “I always knew there was something I liked about her .”

A third replied: “My favourite, this .”

While a fourth simply replied: “.”

ROY KEANE appeared to take a cheeky swipe at Sky Sports pal Jamie Carragher after Chelsea advanced in the FA Cup.

The Blues defeated Aston Villa 3–1 at Villa Park to set up a fifth round match at home to Leeds United on 28 February.

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Under pressure, Conor Gallagher got Mauricio Pochettino's side off to a flying start after just eleven minutes, with Nicolas Jackson doubling the lead shortly afterwards.

But the goal of the match came just in the second half when Enzo Fernandez scored a brilliant free-kick past fellow Argentine World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez from 30 yards.

That led to wild scenes as he and his Chelsea teammates rushed to celebrate in front of away fans.

The 23-year-old copied Lionel Messi's famous celebration in 2017 after scoring the 500th goal of his Barcelona career in a win over Real Madrid.

Fernandez took off his shirt before holding it up to show his name and number to the crowd, after which his colleagues took it and performed the same trick.

Villa pulled a late goal back but it was too little, too late as Chelsea and Poch put the miserable 4-2 home defeat to Wolves firmly behind them.

ITV covered the game and employed the usually fiery Keane and former England women's star Karen Carney as pundits for them.

And after taking another look at the festive scenes, Carney said ironically and with a blatant nod to Carragher, “Talk about celebrating a bit.”

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Keane then shocked everyone by responding: “Let them enjoy it.”

It came after Martin Odegaard hit back at Sky Sports pundits for their criticism of Arsenal's post-match scenes following their win over Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta thrilled the Emirates crowd with Jurgen Klopp-esque fist pumps, while Odegaard used a camera to take pictures of club photographer Stuart Macfarlane.

Liverpool legend Carragher then said: “Just go into the tunnel. You won a game. It's three points.

“They are back in the title race, go through the tunnel. I'm serious, honestly.”

Carragher then became embroiled in a war of words with ex-Premier League star Jan Aage Fjortoft over Odegaard's celebration.

But after Keane, famous for his angry TV rants over the years, stood up for the Blues, the club's supporters were quick to show the ex-Manchester United captain some love.

“Roy, I misjudged you,” one replied.

Another wrote: “Roy Keane, what a guy.”

While a third added: “Maybe I treated you too harshly Roy.”

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JAMIE CARRAGHER was embroiled in a war of words with ex-Premier League star Jan Aage Fjortoft over Martin Odegaard's celebration.

Odegaard's Arsenal blew the title race wide open by helping the Gunners to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Emirates.

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And he celebrated by taking the camera away from club photographer Stuart MacFarlane to take a photo himself.

Liverpool legend Carragher responded with an iconic quote from Neil Warnock's dressing room.

He posted on X, formerly Twitter: “By all means, enjoy it, but enjoy it by being disciplined!”

Fjortoft, formerly of Middlesbrough and Sheffield United, responded: Come on @Carra23 Let Martin show his passion!

“Also on the pitch. Let him live this moment with his friends at @Arsenal, like @Stuart_PhotoAFC.

“It has nothing to do with being disciplined or not. Football could help if more people express their love for the game

“I know deep down you agree with me, buddy.”

Carragher hit back: Jan, it's a joke about a Neil Warnock quote, FFS!

“I like that you tagged them all, including the cameraman, so you get the retweets and likes you want.

“I thought the camera stuff was a bit OTT, a bit like your claim that Mo Salah was leaving Liverpool!”

Fjortoft then replied: “Yes Jamie! I tagged Arsenal photographer Stuart MacFarlane as he has been with Arsenal since 1991.

“And he deserves all the credit – I think that's the same opinion of Arsenal captain Martin Ø after their victory.

“As for your last sentence… only a thief sees who is stealing.”

Warnock infamously hit his Sheffield United players with the disciplined team talk before an FA Cup tie against Arsenal.

And he also joined in the banter with Carragher, telling him: “I'm happy to hear your opinions, Carra, but get your own slogan!”

JAMIE CARRAGHER told Martin Odegaard to “go into the tunnel” after the Arsenal star took pictures on the pitch.

The Norwegian, 25, led the Gunners to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Emirates.

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After the match he enjoyed the moment and took pictures with a big looking camera.

Arsenal fans enjoyed the celebrations, but former Liverpool captain Carragher was unimpressed.

Watching Odegaard perform expert tasks Sky Sport, an unimpressed Carra said: 'Just go into the tunnel.

“You won a game, three points.

“They were brilliant, back in the title race…enter the tunnel.

“I mean it, honestly…”

In response to Carragher's comments, one fan wrote: “Lmaooooooooooooo Carra is furious.”

While a second asked: “Why is Jamie Carragher frothing about this?”

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A third, supporting Carra, said: “Here's the problem: they're starting to celebrate three points as trophies.”

And another added: “This is why people hate Arsenal.”

After the match, ex-Red Carragher posted on Twitter: “By all means, enjoy it, but enjoy it by being disciplined!”

The Gunners took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute through Bukayo Saka, who was later sent off with an apparent injury.

Gabriel Magalhaes' farcical own goal brought Liverpool level heart attack of half-time, but Arsenal regained the lead through Gabriel Martinelli after a roaring pass Alisson.

Ibrahima Konate was then shown a late red card, while Leandro Trossard grabbed a third in stoppage time.

After the match, a frustrated Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports: “A lot of things were against us today.

“This referee gave me a red card against Manchester City struggle situation between Bernardo Silva and Mo Salah. Same situation today with Jota but did not receive a red card.

“It's unbelievable, then hold Havertz on Konate for the first yellow card. Then Havertz goes down and the referee gives Konate a yellow card. Gabriel does the same with Nunez and no yellow card.”

Liverpool remains top of the league, although Arsenal is now only two points behind.

Manchester City are third, five points behind the Reds, but have two games in hand.

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