Carragher may seek help of top sports doctor
...AND HE’S OFF AIR FOR THE SEASON
JAMIE CARRAGHER may see renowned psychologist Steve Peters after Sky suspended him for the rest of the Premier League season.
The former Liverpool defender will not face any charges from Greater Manchester Police following an incident on Saturday afternoon when — in what Carragher described as a ‘moment of madness’ — he spat at a car with a teenage girl inside on his way back from Old Trafford.
Sky were appalled by the footage, which was captured by the girl’s father on his mobile, and pulled Carragher from his scheduled appearance on Monday Night
Football. He was immediately suspended as the broadcaster decided what action to take next.
They released a statement yesterday morning confirming that Carragher, who is believed to earn more than £1million per season, would not appear on any of their shows for the rest of the campaign. Sky said: ‘ Following an internal review, Sky has suspended Jamie Carragher for the remainder of the football season. Jamie has taken full responsibility for what has happened and we will ensure he gets the help he needs to guarantee something like this never happens again.
‘ Before the start of the next season we will sit down with Jamie to discuss whether he is ready to return to his role.’
Sky were shocked by the way Carragher reacted to Manchester United fan Andy Hughes, from Colwyn Bay, shouting ‘2-1! Jamie lad! 2-1’ as he beeped his car horn and shouted at him after winding down the window of his car. Before Sky speak to Carragher about his future, they want to see that the former England international has taken steps to address what could be regarded as anger-management issues. And the 40-year- old may turn to Dr Peters, with whom he worked during his final season at Anfield. Dr Peters is best known for his work with British Cycling and also spent time working with England’s football team but he was brought to Anfield by former manager Brendan Rodgers in September 2012 and Carragher spoke to him on several occasions. Carragher is devastated by what happened, for the shame he has brought on himself and Sky but, more than anything, how the 14-year-old girl has become embroiled in a story that has snowballed.
Online trolls have targeted Mr Hughes and he claimed in an interview with the
Daily Mirror that he and his family have been subjected to death threats and relentless abuse in the past 48 hours. And yesterday Carragher issued a tweet urging social media users to leave the Hughes family alone.
He said: ‘I’ve made a big mistake . . . I am the only person to blame for this sorry situation, so please leave the family alone.
‘I have already said I take responsibility for what happened. It was a moment of madness and I’m going to speak to the relevant people to ensure something like this never happens again. Again, apologies all round.’