to think that Sky Sports should sack Andy Gray and Richard Keys for this blatant sexism....

[theexample]

I know a lot of you don't like football but there was a female assistant referee officiating the game between Wolves and Liverpool yesterday. 2 of Sky Sports' main announcers/commentators were caught off camera (but with the mics still turned on, unbeknownst to them) making these remarks...

i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/01_04/sky.mp3

As a man, I can honestly say she did a good job and a lot of us on The Football Ramble forum believe Keys and Gray were out of order. What is the female perspective?

Here is a short transcript.

?Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her,? said Keys.

?Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don?t know the offside rule,? said Gray.

Keys replied ?Course they don?t. I can guarantee you there will be a big one today. Kenny (Dalglish) will go potty. This isn?t the first time, is it? Didn?t we have one before?? And then he added ?The game?s gone mad. Did you hear charming [West Ham vice-chairwoman] Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Do me a favour, love.?

Keys has resigned

Keys has made an apology and has resigned. I'm still slightly in shock at how seriously this is all being taken. I think it's wonderful Was doubting if I would ever see the day when sexism would be taken as seriously as racism. Good times. I hope every grubby little office 'banterer' is watching and taking note. Your 'sense of humour' is just no longer acceptable!

I am not sure it was all just about sexism. Somebody within Sky has leaked this footage probably with permission from the "gaffer". Lesson: never bite the hands that feeds you.

These two presenters are very unpleasant, but I just really do not think that is why they were sacked.

Yes, I agree. Sky are no arms bearer for feminism. This is a vendetta against Gray ... I think Keys has been taken down with him. There is possibly an element of safeguarding themselves against litigation, but basically they've chosen to get rid of Gray first, then worked out how second.

I am delighted, by the way, but am still yet to accept that Sky genuinely take the issue seriously.

Maybe if they stopped employing female persevered purely on their looks.

FFS - presenters! Grrrr to auto correct.

I agree I think Sky might have been looking at getting rid of them anyway and this gave them the perfect excuse. That said I'm not sad to see Gray go he was so annoying

AFAIK, Gray has been sacked for a different reason, but all the same, he's been given his marching orders. About time too.

Huddspur - are you a Tottenham fan?!

Liked heading in the 'Independent' today -

'Andy Gray's problem was that he didn't understand the off-air rule'

Yes I am

Huddspur - then you'll know he was no friend to the Spurs. His departure is a double win bonus for me.

Couldn't agree more, I hope Alan Smith is the next to go.
Get Terry Venables or Glenn Hoddle to replace Gray

Yes, that'd do! Am still bitter re Euro 92.

Maybe Arry's or Sugar have had a word in someone's shell-like.

eagerly awaits news of scandal involving Lee Dixon

So do I although I am enjoying hearing the bitterness in Dixons voice as he has to give us credit

My favourite was IW's distress after our trip to the Emirates.

I didn't see that, I was too busy taunting the scum outside the ground

Can't find it on YouTube. Consoled myself by watching Wenger throw his bottle of water over himself.

"Gray has been sacked for a different reason,"

Well he's been sacked for his actions towards Georgie Thompson (or was it Kelly Dalglish) in the clip that was leaked of him asking her to tuck in his shirt etc. rather than the comments about the lineswoman. Now it was done in light of the recent press and I agree with others that it was probably all orchestrated and leaked at the behest of someone higher up in sky.

FWIW I agree with the logic employed. I don't think that there are really grounds for firing him based either on the original comments about the match official or the leaked conversation with the sky reporter pitchside, mainly for the reason that they hold no professional relationship with the match official and a warning about future conduct may well have sufficed or a suspension. where as the incident with his fellow presenter is just one of the clearest examples of sexual harassment one is likely to see. As somebody said to me yesterday it is almost frame for frame (including his chuckling away with Keys) a replica of what you'd expect an early 90's work-place video on what constitutes sexual harassment to look like.

They'll both lay low for a few months before resurfacing on ESPN - fundamentally nothing much will change re; sexism in football - sadly...

My suspicion was the YouTube videos were loaded by the women who work at Sky Sports who have had to put up with the constant sexual harassment over the years.

If it was, I salute you.

ha ha ha @ 'he doesn't know the off-air rule'

Pretty sure ESPN is essentially franchised (in UK anyway) by Sky so don't know if he'd be welcome there.
Although he got great reviews for his world cup coverage in the states last summer so may well take a job for one of their broadcasters.

Dreading who'll take over now though. Hoping for James Richardson and G. Marcotti, fearing it will be J.Redknapp and some other useless sky drone.

True MQ - I'm just thinking of the 'Peter Mandelson' factor - that guy was sacked more times than I've had hot dinners - but he always bounced back - and ironically into better jobs than he'd had before. If someone is good they never really disappear.

I'm glad Gray's gone. Hopefully now Sky can replace him with someone who has big tits!

Hang on whilst i give myself a

Nah - they've just got rid of two tits - won't replace them with more...