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Original poster

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

309 replies

theexample · 23/01/2011 21:20

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.?

OP posts:
BeenBeta · 23/01/2011 21:51

I watched the match in question with DW - who knows a hell of a lot about football and far more than me.

Watching the replay DW thought it showed the lineswoman was absolutley correct in her decison as she was keeping up and dead in line with play. The commentary box would not have given the commentators the same line of sight.

mayorquimby · 23/01/2011 21:53

Stupid comments but both are twats who aren't exactly respected in the game.

huddspur · 23/01/2011 21:54

The offside rule isn't that complicated at all. Part of the beauty of football is that its not that complicated

sarahitaly · 23/01/2011 21:55

huddspur

My husband is clearly useless at explaining it, or may not even understand it himself, depsite about a zillion hours screaming at the telly acting like an Inter loss is the End Of The World As We Know It.

Is there a nice clear diagram somewhere on line so I can understand it ?

huddspur · 23/01/2011 21:57

sarahitaly- This explains it reasonably well and has a few diagrams www.offside-ref.co.uk/laws/11-offside-rule/detailed/

sarahitaly · 23/01/2011 21:57

" they would have said the same if it was a male ref.

"

They might have been rude in their disagreement with his call, but not on the basis that he had a willy, and THAT is the issue. They dragged her gender into it. Pair of dinosaurs.

lastresort · 23/01/2011 22:00

HOW did they drag her gender into it?
They disagreed with the decision, that is all.

Vallhala · 23/01/2011 22:02

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

Are you having us on, lastresort? Hmm

Saltatrix · 23/01/2011 22:04

SHE WAS RIGHT

I saw the game and the replay the person was onside.

clams · 23/01/2011 22:06

If they had questioned the ability of a black linesman (also totally unacceptable) they would have been sacked. But apparently it is acceptable for them to demean women; I haven't seen a reaction from Sky. I'm just glad that neither of them is my husband, father or son. Tossers.

gordyslovesheep · 23/01/2011 22:06

Lastresort THEY 'dragged her gender into it' by making that comment as highlighted by Vallhala BEFORE THE MATCH BEGAN

an assumption based PURELY on her having boobs and a fanjitta and not on her performance in her actual JOB

On what planet is that anything BUT sexist?

spongebobsquareknickers · 23/01/2011 22:07

I didnt think the OP was debating how difficult the offside rule is to understand, nor really whether she made the right decision...

The point is, that the pundits basically claimed that she cant do her job because she is a woman

lastresort · 23/01/2011 22:07

Oh please...they would have made the same remark about a man. Football commentators have ALWAYS acted like prima donnas, and attacked the officials. They aren't really interesteded what sex they are...they will argue with them regardless. That is what makes football interesting.

TBH, I think OP is blowing this completely out of proportion...there are actually men out there who do not understand the offside rule.

And again, I say, It is only a game.

sarahitaly · 23/01/2011 22:09

huddspur

Aha !!! I was on the right track (and would have been totally right if husband had been more clear)

"This position may have been forced by the defenders moving forward in what is called the offside trap."

See, am a natural at being cunning with a ball ( =

AND I know more than he does because I now know why they have the rule and he just mumbled indecipherable mumbo jumbo when I asked why they didn't just get rid of the rule if it caused so much trouble (and shouting).

Next time I shall ask the question, press a little and then say... "Oh ! Would it be to stop goal hanging ?"

Heh. Revenge for all that shouting.

Wasn't that hard to get an idea of it once given a decent explanation, in the right language, despite ownership of vagina.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 23/01/2011 22:09

Would love to see the back of Andy Gray. Met Richard Keys on a train once, was smarmy so he can go too.

Original poster
theexample · 23/01/2011 22:11

Saltatrix - I meant the opening goal when Meireles was just onside and she called it spot on.

OP posts:
researchinmotion · 23/01/2011 22:12

I can understand why most women have trouble with the offside rule.

If watching a match with my exP, he used to stand up and shout 'OFFSIDE' at every opportunity! Grin

SharonGless · 23/01/2011 22:13

Yes lastresort it is only a game but unless the last bastion of manhood is challenged they will be allowed to carry on treating women like shit.

Sorry but they can attack the officials for their decision making - not because of their gender

spongebobsquareknickers · 23/01/2011 22:13

Ah yes lastresort ...

?Can you believe that? A male linesman. Men don?t know the offside rule,?

Hmm

How about...

?Can you believe that? A gay linesman. Gays don?t know the offside rule,?

or

?Can you believe that? A black linesman. Blacks don?t know the offside rule,?

Nothing wrong with them??

huddspur · 23/01/2011 22:14

Football isn't a game its the game

gordyslovesheep · 23/01/2011 22:15

exactly Spongebob

Saltatrix · 23/01/2011 22:16

theexample yes I know that's why I said she 9the linesman) was right.

Their comments regarding her gender were not necessary we have enough linesmen that make errors and the fact they are male is not attributed to their mistakes.

sarahitaly · 23/01/2011 22:17

Just to highlight why offence was taken...

"?Can you believe that? A gay linesman. Gays don?t know the offside rule,?

"?Can you believe that? A black linesman. Black people don?t know the offside rule,?

"?Can you believe that? A linesman with cancer. Those with cancer don?t know the offside rule,?

Somehow don't think you hear a male ref critised in the same way

?Can you believe that? A male linesman. Men don?t know the offside rule"

Saltatrix · 23/01/2011 22:17

And the woman didn't even make a mistake, when I watched the replay I was glad for her (I am a guy btw)

sarahitaly · 23/01/2011 22:18

opps x post