25 Jan 2011

Sky Sports sacks Andy Gray after sexist remarks

Sky Sports sacks presenter Andy Gray after his sexist remarks about a female football official. The termination of his employment is also linked to an “unacceptable” incident in December, Sky says.

In a statement, Sky Sports said the termination of Mr Gray’s contract was effective immediately.

Andy Gray was subjected to disciplinary action for his comments this weekend, with co-presenter Richard Keys, that female officials “don’t know the offside rule” – but Sky said the decision was made in response to new evidence relating to another off-air incident of “unacceptable and offensive behaviour”.

“Andy Gray’s contract has been terminated for unacceptable behaviour.” Sky Sports Managing Director Barney Francis.

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: “Andy Gray’s contract has been terminated for unacceptable behaviour. After issuing a warning yesterday, we have no hesitation in taking this action after becoming aware of new information today.”

Sexism

The sexist comments made off-air over the weekend were splashed in the Mail on Sunday.

Andy Gray and Richard Keys predicted that referee’s assistant Sian Massey would make a mistake during Liverpool’s Premier League game against Wolves on Saturday, agreeing that female officials “probably don’t know the offside rule”.

The duo agreed someone should go pitchside to explain the rule to Ms Massey – and Mr Keys added: “I can guarantee you there’ll be a big one today. Kenny [Dalglish, Liverpool manager] will go potty.”

In fact, Ms Massey correctly called a crucial decision.

Mr Gray has previously been caught on camera off-air making sexist comments where he seems to ask a female colleague: “Tuck this in for me, will you?” as he adjusts his microphone.

Withdrawn

The row sparked by the sexist comments earlier led to the presenters’ suspension from the Monday night football line-up on Sky Sports. Ms Massey has withdrawn from running the line at tonight’s npower League Two match between Crewe and Bradford while the furore continued.

While discussing Ms Massey, the pair went on to discuss West Ham Vice-Chairman Karren Brady’s article about sexism in a Sunday newspaper.

Mr Keys said: “See charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour love.”

Ms Brady said the comments made her “blood boil”.

She told BBC Radio 5 Live that the game: “still has this sort of old-fashioned, out-of-date view of what a woman’s role is in the industry, and it infuriates me. I’m surprised they didn’t say ‘better go and get her to get the kettle on.'”

Sky Sports also released footage of Mr Gray discussing how attractive Ms Massey is before an interview. The reporter involved in the exchange, Andy Burton, has also been taken off the air for his involvement in the exchange.