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Eric Bristow sacked by Sky Sports for suggesting sex abuse victims not 'proper men'

The former world champion will no longer be used as a pundit by the British broadcaster.

Updated 12.00

FORMER DARTS WORLD champion Eric Bristow has been dropped by Sky Sports after sending a series of controversial tweets about the recent sexual abuse scandal that has rocked football.

The five-time world champion, who was made an MBE in 1989, queried why the players did not “sort out” their abusers “when they got older and fitter”.

The 59-year-old also claimed that darts players were “tough guys” while footballers were “wimps”.

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This morning, Sky Sports announced they have ended Bristow’s role as a pundit with the station ahead of the 2017 PDC World Darts Championship, which is set to be broadcast next month.

“He was a contributor to our darts coverage in the past but we will not be using him in the future,” said a Sky spokesperson.

Darts - British International Championship - Scotland v Wales Bristow was made a MBE in 1989. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

Since former Crewe Alexandra player Andy Woodward waived his anonymity and publicly spoke out at the abuse he suffered at the hands of his former youth coach, convicted sex offender Barry Bennell, more than 20 former players have come forward with further allegations in the game in the UK.

Five police forces are now investigating claims of historical sexual abuse.

Another former Crewe player, Steve Walters, who also revealed this month that he was abused by Bennell as a child, said he was “disgusted” with Bristow’s comments.

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