Reason why Martin Keown was missing from MOTD update revealed

There was some confusion this morning after Mr Keown, and several other pundits, weren’t included in a press release issued by the BBC.

The statement listed its pundits for the football highlights show ahead of the new Premier League season beginning this Friday, August 21.

READ MORE: BBC Match of the Day announcement misses out Martin Keown

Former footballers Toby Alderweireld, Robbie Keane, Ashley Young, and ex Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank were the new names to join Match of the Day to offer their analysis.

However, six pundits – several of whom have worked for the broadcaster for many years – were not named in the announcement press release.

This includes Mr Keown, who lives in Oxford, and has been a pundit on shows such as the now-scrapped Football Focus and Match of the Day for well over a decade.

However, the broadcaster has now confirmed that the former Arsenal defender will return to Match of the Day this season.

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In addition, the BBC said that the reason why he – and others – weren’t included in the press release is because not all the contracts have been finalised ahead of the season.

A spokesperson added that this is “very normal”.

In addition to the announcement on pundits, the corporation unveiled four new shows on BBC Football YouTube and a fan collective representing all 20 premier league clubs.