Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys and pundit Andy Gray
were both dropped from the channel's coverage of Chelsea's Premier
League game against Bolton on Monday night following the sexism row
that has swamped the pair.
Keys has telephoned assistant referee Sian Massey to apologise
for his off-air remarks about her at the weekend, a Professional
Game Match Officials spokesman confirmed.
The PGMO confirmed that Keys had telephoned Massey. She accepted
the apology and is now keen to move on from the matter, and will be
an assistant at the League Two match between Crewe and Bradford on
Tuesday night.
Controversy arose after the Mail on Sunday was passed a
recording of an off-air discussion the two men held during
Saturday's game between Wolves and Liverpool, about female official
Sian Massey. Keys was recorded as saying "somebody better get down
there and explain offside to her", while Gray agreed, saying of
female officials: "they probably don't know the offside rule".
Gray further criticised former Premier League assistant referee
Wendy Toms and Keys took issue with a column by Karren Brady in
Saturday's Sun in which she commented on the level of
sexism in the game. Keys said: "See charming Karren Brady this
morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour, love."
Their comments have generated plenty of reaction with Sports
Minister Hugh Robertson even weighing into the debate when saying
he was "disappointed to hear these comments at a time when we are
trying to get more women participating in football."
Sky Sports has now responded to the outcry provoked by
the pair's comments by dropping them from the coverage of Monday
night's game at the Reebok Stadium.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said:
"It has been made clear to each of them that their comments were
totally unacceptable. I have spoken directly to both Richard Keys
and Andy Gray this morning.
"Those views are inexcusable, entirely inconsistent with our
ethos as a business and employer, and will rightly offend many of
our customers, our people, and the wider public. They are
inexcusable from anyone at Sky, regardless of their role
or seniority.
"We have dealt with this matter by taking immediate disciplinary
action. As with any employee it would not be right to go into
detail on those proceedings. However, they have been clearly warned
about their behaviour and reminded of their responsibilities. In
addition, Richard and Andy will not be involved in any way with
tonight's live Monday Night Football."
Massey made a good call when adjudging Raul Meireles was onside
in the build-up to Liverpool's first goal at Molineux, and the FA
has issued a statement backing its female officials.
The statement read: "The FA has made real strides in encouraging
both male and female match officials to enter the game at every
level, and will continue to offer every encouragement to all
officials within the football family to progress to the highest
levels possible.
"We are proud to have some of the world's best match officials,
both male and female. Overall the number of female referees in
England (Levels 1-8) stands at 853 and climbing, and all of our
female match officials act as fantastic ambassadors for the game.
They have our wholehearted and continuing support."
Referees body Professional Game Match Officials issued a
statement from general manager Mike Riley which read: "All PGMO
referees and assistant referees are appointed on merit and ability.
They are assessed on their performances only."
On Monday, Brady responded to the controversy when telling the
BBC: "It makes my blood boil, if I'm absolutely honest.
Forget myself for a second, because what was said about me is a
personal opinion and everyone is entitled to that. What really
upsets me is the fact only females in our industry are judged by
their gender. And that is categorically wrong.
"I'm genuinely disappointed. It never would have occurred to me
that they had those views, whether public or private. It almost
makes it worse that they're speaking when the microphones are not
on as opposed to when they are on, because (they have) never really
had the brass neck to say it publicly, they would only say it
privately. I have heard it and I don't believe it is just
banter.''
England captain Rio Ferdinand has also come out to support
Massey on his Twitter account, saying: "What's wrong with
a woman being an official in a football game? I'm cool with it. All
that counts is do they get the decisions right.
"I'm all for women refereeing in football, discrimination should
not happen in our game at all...prehistoric views if you think
otherwise."
FIFA-listed referee Morag Pirie has told the duo to ''get with
the times'' as she urged women not to be discouraged from getting
involved in the game.
''That attitude you think would have gone out years ago, but
it's obviously still there,'' she said. ''How can that sort of
attitude encourage more women to take up refereeing?
''You need encouragement for women and men to do these sports.
They should try it themselves and see what it's like. It's a hard
enough job as it is. Some men need to get with the times. More
women are doing jobs that men used to do and are being judged on
their ability and skills.
''If there are girls out there who want to take it up then they
should. Men get negative comments as well, you just need to block
them out.''
Pundit Andy Gray has left Sky Sports in the aftermath
of his controversial comments on female officials.
Sky has confirmed it has terminated his contract in
light of "new evidence of unacceptable and offensive
behaviour".
Along with presenter Richard Keys, Gray was caught off camera
making controversial comments about assistant referee Sian Massey
ahead of Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday.
Keys suggested that "somebody better get down there and explain
offside to her", and Gray added: "They probably don't know the
offside rule".
Sky News released footage on Monday evening of Gray in
conversation with Sky Sports reporter Andy Burton. Burton,
who has now been stood down, referred to Massey as a "bit of a
looker" while Gray again said she would be unaware of the offside
rule.
Keys has since telephoned Massey to apologise and, although Gray
had not been in contact, a Sky spokesman said: "It wasn't
a case of Andy not apologising. It doesn't really make sense for
both of them to call."
However, after footage emerged of Gray joking that Sky
Sports News presenter Charlotte Jackson should help him to
tuck his shirt in, he has now left the company.
It is believed that Massey has been stood down from the League
Two game between Crewe and Bradford on Tuesday night.
More to follow...
NoooO!!!! No more Andy Gray T.T
