Sky Sports pair criticised over female assistant referee comments

[TRF_Cymro]

Sky Sports has said off-air remarks made by two football presenters about female assistant referee Sian Massey were "not acceptable".

Host Richard Keys and pundit Andy Gray commented on Ms Massey's appointment for the game between Wolves and Liverpool on Saturday.

Believing their microphones were off, the pair agreed female officials "don't know the offside rule".

In a statement, Sky said the two men had apologised for the comments.

The Football Association has given its support to Ms Massey, 25, who made a correct borderline call in the build-up to Liverpool's first goal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton.
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"Start Quote

All PGMO referees and assistant referees are appointed on merit and ability"

End Quote Mike Riley Professional Game Match Officials

* How prevalent is sexism in sport?

Speaking ahead of the match, Mr Keys said "somebody better get down there and explain offside to her" and Mr Gray remarked "women don't know the offside rule".

Mr Keys then said "of course they don't", before adding: "I can guarantee you there'll be a big one today. [Liverpool manager] Kenny [Dalglish] will go potty."

He then went on to remark on comments made by West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady in the Sun newspaper on Saturday morning about the level of sexism in football.

"See charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour, love," he said.

Sky said: "The comments are not acceptable. They were not made on air but we have spoken to Richard and Andy and told them our views and they have apologised and expressed their regret."

An FA statement said it had 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," it said.

Referees body Professional Game Match Officials issued a statement from their general manager Mike Riley.

It said: "All PGMO referees and assistant referees are appointed on merit and ability. They are assessed on their performances only."

Former executive deputy chairman of Millwall Football Club Heather Rabbatts told BBC Radio 5 live the game needed more female officials.

"But when they're appointed, sadly, they'll get the same abuse as their male colleagues."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12263398

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO KEYS AND GRAY'S ATTACK ON SIAN MASSEY

Daily Mail Article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rry-mess.html?ITO=socialnet-twitte-mail_gpoll​

 

[Saints1]

Sack them!

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Sack them!

Agree, thought she officiated really well. Big boost for women officiators in the male football.

 

[Saints1]

Well it was a mile onside!

 

[BigJoe78]

what a pair of knobs. while sky sports have some excellent pudits and presenters there are a few old boys who need to be cut loose (Eddie and Stevo i'm looking at you two as well)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Kenny Dalglish, in a press conference this morning, asked the Sky Sports reporters if they were OK with there being female journalists in the room :lol:

 

[Saints1]

That's because Kenneth Matteson Dalglish is a legend.

Joe - I do agree that Eddie and Steveo are a pair of jangaloons, although Steveo is mostly alright. I think it's his job to cause a bit of bother in the commentary box.

 

[Teh Mite]

Quick everyone, put on your politically correct trousers on!

 

[Saints1]

There's being politically correct and then there's being arseholes, like Keys and Gray were.

 

[Teh Mite]

As if 95% of the crowd weren't saying the exact same things. No moral high grounds in soccer.

 

[Saints1]

The crowd aren't TV anchors. They aren't acting in a professional capacity.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Sky discipline Andy Gray & Richard Keys over comments

Good call!

 

[DorceOutSide]

[/QUOTE] agreed

 

[BigJoe78]

Gray sacked
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9373280.stm

 

[munstermuffin]

Hope this doesn't harm my FIFA commentary

 

[Teh Mite]

ITV EXECUTIVES. Follow Sky's lead on sacking sexist presenters by sacking all of the Loose Women.

The crowd aren't TV anchors. They aren't acting in a professional capacity.

A private discussion off air isn't acting in a professional capacity either.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

What sent him ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12282044 (UK Only)

 

[Saints1]

Ah well, he's been sacked.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Sacked for saying it as it is... Andy Gray is comparable to Jesus!

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Few girls I know thought it was banter and think its been blown out of proportion, believed he should have been suspended but the sack is a little over the top!