Calls for BBC pundit Micah Richards to be sacked after live TV comments

Manchester City fans have expressed their discontent with Micah Richards after he suggested "all the big teams" are out of the FA Cup, despite his former side progressing to the quarter-finals. City secured a win over Plymouth Argyle at Etihad Stadium, following the Championship side's surprise defeat of Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round.

Chelsea were also knocked out by Brighton and Hove Albion in that round, while Arsenal were eliminated by Manchester United early on. Amorim's team then suffered a penalty shootout loss to Fulham on Sunday at Old Trafford, ending their FA Cup run.

City and Fulham are joined by Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Preston North End in the last eight. While commentating on BBC Sport's coverage of United's penalty shootout loss to Fulham, Richards reflected on the competition's current state and appeared to imply that his former outfit does not count among England's elite.

He remarked: "It's very open now. What a chance for a team to go and win it. All the big teams are out, Manchester City are obviously the strongest team left in there. But this is what we wanted, teams to get a chance."

His comment has led to dismissal calls from City supporters, who are now vocal across social media platforms about withdrawing his role as an ambassador, reports the Express.

A fan criticised: "Petition to strip Micah Richards of the 'club ambassador' role and hand it over to someone who actually cares about Manchester City."

Another shared their annoyance, commenting: "This is what Micah Richards just said on live television. I'm actually tired of this guy."

A different perspective was offered by a third supporter: "Personally I think Micah Richards misspoke earlier, I don't think he was necessarily saying what he is being accused of. However it's an error that he really shouldn't be making as our club ambassador, he's digging a hole every time he speaks at the moment."

The disapproval continued with another disgruntled fan declaring: "Absolutely hate Micah Richards. How is he still allowed to represent us."

Taking a more sardonic tone, a fifth fan remarked: "I must've forgot that the team that wins 4 in a row can't be classed as big."

Richards, who spent 14 years at City and was integral to the team that secured the FA Cup in 2011, views the competition as City's main chance for success this season. Manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged the significance of the cup, stating: "It's quite new for us. In eight or nine years it never happened. That means we are not doing well. We are going to take time off to refresh."

Assessing the preparations for their next match against Forest, Guardiola stressed: "It's about quality not quantity. We are going to do training [for a] really important game against Forest."

The strategy ahead is clear, as per the statement reported by Mirror Sport: "We will refresh things and practice things. Lift the rhythm. Normally when you play every three days you cannot do that."

This article was first published on Mirror Sport.