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See Ya Later Andy

According to our friends over at Ultimate FIFA, controversial ex-commentator Andy Gray is set to be given his marching orders from the FIFA franchise.

Whilst the news comes from a “source at EA”, It’s not 100% confirmed, but it does make sense. He has already been relieved of his duties at Sky Sports and EA will want to keep the relationship they have with the broadcaster sweet, considering it means that their branding appears on all televised Premier League games. Although that’s already “backfired”.

The source states:

“They’re [EA] slightly concerned that people will be put off buying FIFA 12 if Andy Gray is still a commentator after his sexist claims were deemed unacceptable.”

So it looks like the end of the road for poor, rich, Andy. Shame really, he seems like such a nice bloke…

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I know it’s old but it still tickles me.

So what does this mean for FIFA12? According to the original article, Tyler is staying and Rob Hawthorne will be joining him.

Personally I think it’s brilliant if true. People often complain that the commentary isn’t fresh enough each year, but with the replacement of a commentator, we’re looking at almost a whole new library. Happy Days. Unless you’re Andy Gray.

**UPDATE**

Thomas from Media spy kindly posted an update in the comments below. In case you missed it, it reads as follows:

The source used for this article is what our journalists picked up from the FIFA development team at EA. We have verified it several times and fully believe this article to be accurate. However, the reports we received that Rob Hawthorne is to take Gray’s place are apparently incorrect, with Alan Smith now the name reaching us. We understand that another commentator who works for Sky Sports is likely to replace Gray.

Full credit to Ultimate FIFA and Thomas Ramsey-Andrews from Mediaspy for the quotes.

Join the discussion
  • pat

    Sweet.

  • mfmaxpower

    I think we all knew it was coming, it was just a matter of sooner or later, but I must say I am more than a little worried. Not because I’ll especially miss Andy (in fact I prefer the WC game’s commentary) but because FIFA’s commentary library has just now gotten extensive enough that it remians tolerable even after months of playing, whilst starting over means the possibility of a thin library and too much repitition. I don’t know about everyone else but it’s only been in the last year or two that I didn’t turn off FIFA’s commentary within a few weeks of playtime and have my own music playing during the game instead.

    So while I honestly won’t miss Andy much I am worried for what this change means for the depth of the commentary library and its overall quality. This is probably a smart move on EA’s part, considering the political and PR implications of having Andy in the game, but I’ll just point to CM as what it can mean to start all over again. Let’s just all pray for a more seamless transition.

  • TheLiverpoolWay

    I’ve been waiting for this news :)

    I think Andy is a great commentator (Who can forget ‘Ooooooooo You Beauty’ hehe). But his days are numbered and for that I am quite happy because Andy is getting a little too boring, simply because we keep hearing his voice over and over again!

    Time for someone new, and I would welcome Rob Hawthorne! He is an excellent commentator.

    Of course it would be fun to have someone like Chris Kamara, but when do you ever see him commentating the big matches?

    So yeah, great move by EA Sports if they decide to go ahead with the decision (Would be foolish not to).

  • bigtone

    Why would Hawthorne be joining Tyler? Both are commentators who describe the play, not analyse as Gray’s role would have been. Either the FIFA development team has got it horribly wrong, or that source is completely false. The latter seems more likely, surprised you guys didn’t pick up on that.

  • BLM

    This doesn’t really make much sense, because Rob Hawthorne isn’t a secondary commentator like Andy Gray… it’ll just be weird.

  • Tom Mills

    i understand what you’re saying “bigtone”, but it’s an unsubstantiated news piece. i.e. it’s interesting, but not completely verified, therefor not worthy of further dissection. i’m sure you know what i mean.

  • Hugh

    I wouldnt even care if they just got some random voice actor to record thousands of specific phrases at least that way we can have variety and exitement

  • JustinLevesque

    I just hope the new commentaror won’t wreck players names like most english commentator. The need to learn how to pronounce the names of other international players outside of the Premier League .

  • James

    anyone as long as its not that ratboy neville

  • Jake

    The chances of Tyler being commentator again is unlikely as so much of his speeches are conversations are with Gray so Hawthorne could be part of the team though it’ll probably be the WC ones.

  • TRS-T

    It’s supposed to be Commentator & Analyst

    Martin Tyler – Commentator
    Andy Gray – Analyst

    Rob Hawthorne is a commentator like Martin Tyler.

    You don’t have Commentator & Commentator.

    They should get Alan Smith or Gary Neville (Gray’s replacement at Sky) as the new analyst.

  • http://www.media-spy.co.uk Thomas

    I’m Thomas from Media Spy, the one who wrote this article. The source used for this article is what our journalists picked up from the FIFA development team at EA. We have verified it several times and fully believe this article to be accurate. However, the reports we received that Rob Hawthorne is to take Gray’s place are apparently incorrect, with Alan Smith now the name reaching us. We understand that another commentator who works for Sky Sports is likely to replace Gray.

  • Matt

    Gary Neville signed a big deal with sky sports and is supposed to be Grays replacement. Man if it was Neville it would p*ss off all fans bar UTD

  • aggaz

    Get in now just for boring Martin Tyler to go. They need the Itv commentators on like clive tyldsley so just can feel the excitement when u play big games. not martin tyler blabbing on about how his garden is growing.

  • aggaz

    Ray Wilkins

  • http://fifa11tricks.co.cc/ Dan

    i agree with bigtone completely

  • Tom

    please god don’t let it be Alan Smith, I cannot stand him!

    i would take anyone over him!

  • gibbo

    ANDY TOWNSEND ANDY TOWNSEND ANDY TOWNSEND ANDY TOWNSEND ANDY TOWNSEND ANDY TOWNSEND!!!!!!! Makes sense as they had him for the world cup game which is still only a few moths old. great commentor and knows a lot about the game. I really couldnt get used to neville or smith, just wouldnt fit for me. To be honest, if youre replacing andy gray who has lots of commentating experience behind him, you need another commentator who has a lot of experience and “rep”. Would really fit with career mode on fa cup games etc. think about it.

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  • http://monex.to/wiki/Michael_Carabini Michael A. Carabini

    I m guessing that the now former Sky Sports presenter Andy Gray has had better weeks. Well it could be getting worse as EA are being very guarded on whether to keep Gray as co-commentator on FIFA 12 due out later this year..As you may already know Gray was sacked from his job at Sky following the release of video clips showing him and co-presenter Richard Keys making derogatory comments about female assistant referee Sian Massey..EA have released a statement that read . EA Sports has not made any announcements about our in-game commentators for FIFA for 2011. Those announcements will be made later this year. .Although the statement doesn t say much it is telling that they are not coming out and backing Gray.

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