Micah Richards reveals how he hid nightmare wardrobe malfunction on Match of the Day – as Alan Shearer jokes that the ‘Hulk exploded’

Micah Richards has revealed how he concealed an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction while live on air on Match of the Day on Saturday night. 

The former Manchester City defender appeared on the BBC program alongside Alan Shearer and host Gary Lineker to review the day’s Premier League action. 

But ahead of the start of the show Richards did some damage to his attire. This fact was not known to the 36-year-old until Shearer pointed out the tear but with only minutes until the program was set to begin, he had no time to change before the cameras started rolling. 

‘I’ve gone [into the changing room], put on my spray, ironed my gear, looking fantastic if I do say so myself,’ he said on the Rest is Football podcast. 

‘As soon as we get to the studio I just see Alan [Shearer] grinning and I was just like “what’s he grinning at now?” and he says that I’ve got a whole in my top. 

The former Manchester City defender was forced to be more restrained as he reviewed the day’s Premier League action on Match of the Day

The shock result of the weekend was Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat by Brighton, their fourth in a row in all competitions

‘Obviously I think he’s pulling my leg. I pull it up and I got a massive [hole]. I couldn’t move on Match of the Day. I was so self conscious it was horrible.’

‘Normally you do a lot of mannerisms with your arms,’ Lineker said. ‘You had a big split underneath your armpit of your shirt. That what happens when you’ve got guns like that Micah.’

Shearer joked: ‘Hulk exploded before he came on air.’ Before Richards added: ‘I was sweating the whole show.’

Richards was uncharacteristically subdued as he discussed the latest shock defeat for his former side, this time at the hands of Brighton at the Amex. 

The Premier League champions surrendered a one-goal advantage in a 2-1 loss to Fabian Hurzeler’s side, which saw them lose ground to Liverpool in the title race. The Reds capitalised on City’s slip-up and went five points clear at the top of the table heading into the final international break of 2024. 

The defeat was City’s fourth in a row in all competitions, following losses to Tottenham and Sporting CP in the Carabao Cup and Champions League and Bournemouth in their previous Premier League outing. 

It is the first time Pep Guardiola has suffered four defeats on the bounce in his career. 

‘Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserves it,’ said Guardiola post match. ‘There is always a first time in life.

‘Normally, people lose games. This is my challenge. I love a challenge. I won’t step back. More than ever, I want to do it. When my players come back, I have no doubt that we will be back at our best.’