Micah Richards banned from Champions League coverage during very rude discussion
Brest were back in the spotlight on Tuesday as the French club faced Barcelona in the Champions League, giving CBS Sports pundit Micah Richards his toughest challenge yet
The CBS Sports team hilariously banned pundit Micah Richards from talking about French club Brest ahead of their Champions League clash with Barcelona.
Brest's debut season in Europe's elite competition has been a laugh for English speakers, but they've shown that they're no joke with three wins from their opening five games. The Ligue 1 outfit - full name Stade Brestois 29 - were unbeaten heading into Tuesday's trip to Spain, only for Robert Lewandowski to strike twice either side of a Dani Olmo goal, subjecting Brest to a 3-0 defeat.
Ahead of kick-off, the CBS Sports punditry team - comprised of Richards, Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry - were all set to discuss their form with presenter Kate Scott, but Richards was banned. The ex- Manchester City defender had giggled at Brest's name being mentioned in previous weeks, so Scott asked him to stay silent as she, Carragher and Henry previewed the game.
"We do feel that you have consistently proven that you can't stay professional in these segments where we're talking about Brest, so production would like to ask if you're comfortable staying silent," Scott began. "Come on Kate, I can do this," Richards replied. "You can't trust me?"
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola causes controversy with explanation on cuts to his face after Man City drawREAD MORE: Mikel Arteta hails "landmark" Champions League win but Arsenal dealt injury concern"No, we can't," Scott responded. "Experience has taught us not to trust you. So, after four games, who here likes Brest?" to which Carragher and Henry immediately each raised a hand.
"I like the shape of them," Carragher quipped, as Richards tried his best not to burst out laughing. Scott continued: "You look at the setup that the manager has got - do you think he's going with a front two tonight?"
Henry replied: "Yeah, two big - a big pair up front who will try to..." "work off each other," Carragher interrupted. Scott then asked him: "I'm interested to know how much you like to watch them, would you pay to watch them?"
"I have done," former Liverpool stalwart Carragher said, prompting hysterical laughter from both Henry and Richards. Henry added: "One thing you have to say is that you don't have to be big, you can be small to compete."
"Do you think Brest could get exposed tonight?" Scott asked, with Carragher cheekily replying: "I hope so!"
Looking around at the production team inside their London studio, a stunned Richards said: "What is this? What is this? Nonsense! HR? Wow!"
Scott followed up by pushing the boundaries. "What do you think, Micah?" she asked. "Do you think Barcelona could come a bit quickly for Brest tonight?" to which Carragher chimed in: "Oh, I think we might have crossed the line."
"You're trying to get me sacked!" Richards joked. "I'm taking the fifth (amendment)."
The panel then had a mature debate about Brest's exploits in Europe but Scott still had a cheeky way of ending the segment. "Daydreaming about Brest, I'm sure you can all relate," she said before a baffled Richards pleased again: "What is going on here?"
The match itself was no laughing matter for Brest, who found themselves 1-0 down inside 10 minutes after Lewandowski converted a penalty. The Polish striker had been clumsily fouled by goalkeeper Marco Bizot and stepped up to score his 100th Champions League goal.
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Barcelona dominated proceedings from there on in but couldn't find a second goal until new £51million signing Olmo tucked home in the 66th minute. Lewandowski then wrapped things up with a tidy finish for goal No.101 in added time, ensuring that Hansi Flick's Barca moved up to second in the Champions League table.
Brest are ninth, one place below the automatic qualifying spots. As things stand, they'd compete in a play-off for a knockout berth. The Champions League has been a silver lining in their season, having won just two of their last eight games in all competitions.
Languishing 12th in Ligue 1 - just three points above the relegation zone - Eric Roy's side have managed to beat Strum Graz, Red Bull Salzburg and Sparta Prague, as well as earn a draw against German champions Bayer Leverkusen. Next up in Europe is a clash at home to PSV Eindhoven before facing Shakhtar Donetsk and 15-time winners of the competition Real Madrid in January.
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