Jamie Carragher Leaves CBS Sports Champions League Coverage Due to Illness
Jamie Carragher was forced to exit the CBS Sports studio unexpectedly during their Champions League broadcast on Wednesday, with host Kate Scott later explaining his absence was due to illness.
The 47-year-old former Liverpool defender, who had attended Tuesday night’s match at Anfield where Liverpool faced Paris Saint-Germain, joined the London-based studio panel alongside Thierry Henry, Micah Richards, and Kate Scott for Wednesday’s Champions League coverage.
Carragher participated in the pre-match analysis and build-up to what promised to be an exciting night of European football. However, viewers noticed his absence when the broadcast returned from the half-time break, with his seat on the panel suddenly empty.
When Henry and Richards questioned their colleague’s whereabouts, Scott informed viewers that Carragher wasn’t feeling well and had to leave the broadcast. According to reports from The Mirror, there’s no indication that his illness is serious in nature.
From Anfield Disappointment to Studio Absence
The studio appearance came just a day after Carragher witnessed his former club Liverpool get eliminated from the Champions League. He was spotted in the Kop end at Anfield looking visibly disappointed as Liverpool lost to PSG on penalties in the last-16 stage of the competition.
Following Tuesday’s match, Carragher had admitted to CBS: “I am a bit deflated about the result but listen, the best team won – PSG.”
When Carragher returned to the CBS studio on Wednesday after missing Tuesday’s coverage, presenter Kate Scott playfully referenced his return with a “prodigal son” analogy:
“Tonight, just like the story of the prodigal son. A bit too big for his boots, he thought life would be sweeter on the road. He thought he would be away, enjoying drinking and revelling, but he took a major loss and realised his foolishness. He came home, humbled. Hoping that he would be accepted. Jamie Carragher, back in the chair.”
The good-natured ribbing highlighted the camaraderie among the CBS Sports team, who have gained popularity for their entertaining chemistry during Champions League broadcasts.
The timeline of events suggests:
- Tuesday: Carragher attends Liverpool vs PSG match at Anfield
- Wednesday pre-show: Joins CBS Sports panel in London studio
- Wednesday during halftime: Leaves broadcast due to illness
This unexpected departure marks a rare interruption for the popular football analyst, who has become a mainstay of CBS’s Champions League coverage alongside Henry and Richards.
Follow CBS Sports and SPORTbible’s social channels for further updates on Jamie Carragher’s condition and when he’s expected to return to broadcasting duties.