Ex-Man Utd player, 45, worried about BBC punditry job after being slapped with ban

FORMER Manchester United midfielder Michael Stewart fears for his broadcasting future after being banished to a car park for the Scottish Cup semi-finals. The divisive BBC and Premier Sports pundit was banned from Hampden Park by the Scottish FA for contentious comments on air in April. The Scottish commentator is “constantly” worried about his future amid his stand-off with the Scottish FA Credit: Willie Vass The former Man Utd midfielder called the Scottish FA’s head of refereeing “wee Willie” Credit: Getty Known for refusing to mince his words, Stewart was also denied access to a VAR media day at Scotland‘s national stadium last week. Following the latest media storm, Stewart now feels his on-screen presence hangs in the balance. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The former Scottish international admitted to worrying “constantly” about whether broadcasters could decide to stop hiring him. Fears that he could be dropped for his thorny reputation have “created a lot of stress” for the 45-year-old. No stranger to controversy, Stewart mouthed his way into the stadium ban by outspokenly criticising a VAR decision while covering a game between St Mirren and Hibs last season. After a goal was questionably ruled out, Stewart claimed that the technology had been used for a “cover up”. He then went on to refer to the Scottish FA’s head of refereeing Willie Collum as “wee Willie”. The Scottish FA felt that Stewart’s barrage of critiques about the nation’s refereeing and VAR standards crossed a line into “commentary that appears disproportionate, agenda-driven, or personal in nature.” Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Stewart took a contrasting stance on the backlash, saying: “There needs to be an understanding of – I’m just doing my job.” He also felt that “going about it in this fashion, I don’t think is beneficial to anybody.” However, the former Man Utd player is now keen to resolve his spat with the Scottish FA, calling for “open and frank discussions with everybody to try to rectify it.” The current standoff is far from his first brush with the authorities. In 2020, Stewart was temporarily suspended by BBC Scotland for calling Rangers communications director James Traynor “a dangerous character, a bully and someone who tries to create division for personal gain.” Comment now