Alan Brazil has been branded a ‘dinosaur’ by his own talkSPORT co-host after his extraordinary rant on women’s football live on air.
Brazil, 65, was hosting his morning slot on the radio station when the focus turned to Manchester United and their trophy aspirations.
Brazil’s co-host Shebahn Aherne suggested that getting United’s women’s team some silverware should be a primary target, but the Scot was having none of it.
He fired back: ‘With the greatest respect, when you talk about Manchester United. Women’s football is getting more important now but when you talk about Manchester United, this is the men’s we’re talking about, the Premier League when we’re talking about mission impossible, not the women’s.’
Aherne insisted fans do care about the women’s fortunes, but Brazil doubled down.
‘It isn’t (a priority)’, he claimed. ‘I’m sorry, people around them are not bothered. It is true. They’re not [bothered]. Within the bigger picture, they’re not.
Alan Brazil has been labelled a ‘dinosaur’ for his views on women’s football
He was called out by his talkSPORT co-host Shebahn Aherne (pictured) after going on an extraordinary rant live on air
Brazil (bottom left) and Aherne (top right) have worked together at talkSPORT for several years
‘No, the bigger picture is fans want to see Manchester United in the Premier League challenging. That’s the bigger picture. It’s not that important compared to the bigger picture. I’m not going to sit here and lie because it’s not.’
Aherne was furious with Brazil’s outburst and hit back at the presenter while a stunned Gabby Agbonlahor watched on.
‘Al, stop being like that,’ she said. ‘You sound like a proper dinosaur this morning. I don’t know why you’re being like that.’
Brazil refused to back down, as he retorted: ‘You’re kidding yourself on.’
A visibly frustrated Aherne added: ‘That’s unbelievable from you. You’re the one with the granddaughter playing football, listen to yourself. Right now that’s important.’
The on-air debate comes at a time when talkSPORT staff have been left divided by the news that Jermaine Jenas will be returning as a pundit for the radio station.
Jenas was sacked by the BBC in August amid allegations of workplace misconduct.
It later emerged he was dismissed after sending explicit texts to two female employees at the BBC, where he also worked on Match Of The Day.
The argument between Brazil and Aherne comes at a time when talkSPORT staff are split over the return of Jermaine Jenas (pictured)
Jenas was sacked by the BBC last year after ‘inappropriate messaging’ scandal
However, it was confirmed earlier this week that he will work as part of talkSPORT’s commentary team for the FA Cup clash between Aston Villa and Tottenham on Sunday.
Mail Sport revealed the decision to bring Jenas back into the fold had left some staff furious, with colleague refusing to work with him after not being consulted about his return.
Brazil and Aherne’s spat also follows on from United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe giving a bombshell interview in December where he appeared to indicate that he was focusing the men’s team.
In an interview with fanzine United We Stand, Ratcliffe dismissed the idea that he was ‘not interested’ in the women’s team but admitted they are not his priority.
‘The perception is slightly misguided. There’s only so much that you can do and our focus has been on the men’s team,’ he said.
‘If not, you get spread too thinly. We need to sort out the main issue – the men’s team. The women’s team is an opportunity.
‘Women’s football is growing really quickly in popularity and size. We need to participate in that. The girls wear a Manchester United badge on their shirt and they’re representing the club.’
The heated argument came after Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggested the Man United women’s team was not a priority in an interview in December
His comments came after sporting director and passionate supporter of the women’s team Dan Ashworth left his role
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Ratcliffe’s comments were made just days after sporting director Dan Ashworth left the club, leaving the women’s team ‘deflated’ as they felt they had lost a passionate supporter of the side.
Ratcliffe also did not go to Wembley to watch United’s women win the FA Cup last year, instead opting to attend the men’s match with Arsenal at Old Trafford.
United’s women are currently second in the WSL, seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
The men’s side are 13th in the Premier League and have already lost 11 top-flight matches this term.
