Micah Richards told of father's unexpected death 'not long' before England vs Argentina

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BBC pundit Micah Richards revealed that he received the news that his father, Lincoln, passed away moments before going on air for

England's World Cup semi-final

against

Argentina

. The news came as a shock to the former

Manchester City

defender.

Richards was in Atlanta working for the

BBC

as

Thomas Tuchel's side fell short against Argentina.

The 38-year-old worked in more trying circumstances than anyone could have expected, and the ex-England international has said his dad would have 'wanted the show to go on'.

Posting an emotional statement on

Instagram

, Richards said: "Not long before going on air today, I received the awful news that my father Lincoln had passed away. His death was unexpected, and he has left us all too soon.

"He was my greatest fan. He barely missed a game my entire life. He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side

"I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else. I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would’ve wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.

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"Thinking of my siblings and all my wider family today as we remember my father Lincoln, my hero and inspiration."

Condolences from across the sporting

world

have been sent to Richards. Former

Liverpool

defender

Jamie Carragher

, who works with Richards on CBS was among the first. "Sending love to you & all the family," he said.

Joe Hart, who was working alongside Richards on Wednesday evening said: "Sending love Meeks … here for you all . RIP Lincoln"

"Sorry for your loss Micah," commented Juan Mata. Ex-England international

Jill Scott

added: Thinking of you and your family Micah."

Ex-Formula 1 champion Jenson Button said: "Praying for you brother, Sorry for your loss." Richards has previously spoken of the significant impact his dad had on his trajectory and credits him with keeping him grounded. "'I grew up in Chapeltown, a rough area of Leeds," Richards said in 2007.

"There was all sorts of stuff - drugs and fighting. There is a point when you are 15 or 16 when you might want to get involved in it. There was definitely a temptation but I stayed grounded.

"I have been able to deal with all the stuff that has come my way. That's down to Dad. He's brought me up well. My Dad is a strong character. He is very principled. He's a Rastafarian. He has set standards for me.

"It's been great to have that sort of person behind me but at the same time I learned how to be my own man. Dad's always been here for me. He has missed only one game I have ever played in and that was my debut at

Arsenal

when I wasn't even been supposed to be in the squad."

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