EA Sports ditches Andy Gray

Electronic Arts has decided not to include former Sky Sports presenter Andy Gray in FIFA 12’s commentary team.

Ex-Arsenal player and TV pundit Alan Smith will instead lead the charge alongside Martin Tyler, who has previously commentated in EA Sports’ FIFA games.

Andy Gray was sacked by Sky Sports in January after being caught making off-camera remarks about female Premier League assistant referee Sian Massey.

FIFA 12 will feature two English broadcast teams and more than 10,000 lines of commentary. The second team – consisting of Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend – will look after tournament matches.

Alan will bring a fresh, new perspective and insight to FIFA 12, working alongside the trusted and well-known voice of Martin Tyler,” said FIFA 12’s senior producer David Rutter.

As one of the top-tier broadcasters on the UK football scene, he brings enormous knowledge and expert analysis to the game so that we can deliver the most authentic FIFA experience this year.”

Alan Smith added: The natural chemistry that Martin and I have developed working live matches for TV has transferred very well to the virtual broadcast booth. I’m really looking forward to FIFA fans hearing our work as we bring all the match day emotion and excitement to this year’s game.”

FIFA 12 will be released in the UK on September 30th.