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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:
Vallhala · 24/01/2011 12:21
reelingintheyears · 24/01/2011 12:22

In The Times it says that in the television replay Massey was vindicated and her decision was correct and that Keys and Gray were wrong.

FWIW i don't watch football but an offside rule really can't be that difficult to understand can it?.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 24/01/2011 12:25

Right, sent a complaint. I see Gray & Keys won't be on tonight, as Sky wait for the fuss to die down (sorry for DM link). Don't let it die down.

penelopestitsdropped · 24/01/2011 12:31

Thanks Val.

Whether the offside rule is the equivelant of the two times table or astrophysics, it is irrelevant.

they were deriding her purely for her lack of testicles.

She was qualified to do her job. She had every right to be on that pitch and they had no right to make the comments they did.

They should not be allowed to continue in their jobs. but Sky sports is predominantly viewed by males who will no doubt have been saying similar in their own front rooms up and down the country and that is where our problem lies.

Whilst Sky sports risk the outrage of a bunch of "little women" if they don't sack them, they risk pissing off the majority of their veiwers if they do.

I fucking hate such blatant misogyny

PhishFoodAddiction · 24/01/2011 12:32

It angers me that sexism is still the norm in football. I hope they do get sacked.

KalokiMallow · 24/01/2011 12:33

"Whilst Sky sports risk the outrage of a bunch of "little women" if they don't sack them, they risk pissing off the majority of their veiwers if they do."

Unfortunately I think you are right :(

frgr · 24/01/2011 12:34

Thanks, LG, I have added my comments to their contact form too:

www.skysports.com/contactus/

I cannot believe they haven't taken a firm decision on this disgusting behaviour to send out a signal that this sort of thing won't be tolerated. What are they waiting for? Do we need to give them wide-spread bad PR before they'll consider acting decently when it comes to handing out punishment for their comments?

Hardandsleazy · 24/01/2011 12:42

Just seen Kenny dalgleish made some quip about was it ok to start press conference with female reporters there to sky journo. Incidentally I think his daughter works on sky sports news so suspect he doesn't necessarily share keys and grays ante diluvian view/.

It's a joke- -as others have saiswhen look at what happened to Ron Atkinson over off air racist remark .. Why do they think this is ok? And I don't buy the majority of sky subscribers are men as that is it is daft to suggest thAt woman Are a small minority of sports fans. And even If were still inexcusable to let this go.

frgr · 24/01/2011 12:44

interesting point about who buys the subscriptions.

in our house, it's me that's named on the bill (was a SAHP when set up after moving, easier)

at my little sister's it's her since it's her flat and he moved in after.

so that's 2/2 where it's not even the man who's name on the Sky account Hmm

maybe i should suggest to H that it's time to relook at our finances/see if there's any wiggle room for cutting Sky out.

mayorquimby · 24/01/2011 12:51

"Just seen Kenny dalgleish made some quip about was it ok to start press conference with female reporters there to sky journo."

Saw that, even asa someone who can't stand KD I thought that was quite a good opener (if true, have only seen it tweeted so far).

As for sky they'll do what they think will make the least impact on their bottom line. If people stop paying subscription or withdraw from the Sports package on the back of this they will be gone, if all they end up receiving is a bit of PR stick for a couple of weeks and some messages of complaint then they'll ride out the storm.

blouseybrown · 24/01/2011 13:02

Oh get a life you lot. I think it was quite funny! There's NO WAY they should be sacked over this. How ridiculous. There must be a drought of news at the moment - can't believe this one was even reported! (By the way I'm a female!)

penelopestitsdropped · 24/01/2011 13:03

then you are a disgrace to the gender.

blouseybrown · 24/01/2011 13:04

The sky subscription in our house is in my name & I'm female. Not that I watch any of the dross on the sports channels!

blouseybrown · 24/01/2011 13:05

penelopestitsdropped.... What???? Have a look at your nick name. That's hardly a feminine word for a lady to use!

JosieRosie · 24/01/2011 13:07

I know nothing about football (and care even less if I'm honest) but this just turns my stomach. I agree with previous posters who have drawn comparisions with Ron Atkinson and Carol Thatcher who were both sacked (quite rightly) for racist comments. Sexism - not such a big deal apparently Hmm

Just heard on the radio that Tweedledum and Tweedledee have 'apologised' - well woop-de-doo. Shouldn't have expected more from Sky but can't they fine them or something? I think this merits a bit more than a slap on the wrist

blouseybrown · 24/01/2011 13:08

What is all the fuss about?

JosieRosie · 24/01/2011 13:08

blouseybrown, you REALLY don't get it, do you? Feel free to keep entertaining us with your ignorance Hmm

penelopestitsdropped · 24/01/2011 13:12

I think you will see that my name is a tongue in cheek play on a cartoon name. nor have i suggested anywhere that i am a lady.
but for you to think that sexism is perfectly acceptable says far more about you than me.

Andy Gray was also in the news a while back for hijacking the tannoy system on a flight leering to male travellers about the fun they will be having in "shagaluf"

the man is quite clearly a sexist pig.

JosieRosie · 24/01/2011 13:15

penelope, don't you know that 'ladies' never argue back?! Shocking behaviour Wink

Thanks for that extra Andy Gray info - I need to be sick now. What sort of moron can find this funny???

blouseybrown · 24/01/2011 13:16

No JosieRosie I REALLY don't! I'm not ignorant either, I'm just expressing my OWN point of view. I would have absolutely NO PROBLEM with someone making that comment about me - it's amusing! The trouble is that nowadays no-one can take a joke any more without the feminist, racist, homophobic gang jumping on their ever increasing band wagon.

Feenie · 24/01/2011 13:17

Andy Gray and Richard Keys have now been pulled from tonight's Chelsea game.

lowra · 24/01/2011 13:17

OP YANBU

penelopestitsdropped · 24/01/2011 13:19

so you would find it ok for a male colleague to not laugh at you but insult you and be appauled that you were given your job? For them to discuss what a disgrace it is and how you are bound to fuck it up as you are, after all, only a woman?

really? and yet you claim not to be ignorant. Sorry but i disagree

blouseybrown · 24/01/2011 13:19

Now I know why I hardly ever go on mumsnet - except for logging on to the use Boden discount link. Loads of saddos, who need to get a life. I'm off back into the real world where people have a laugh and a joke and no-one gets huffy about it.

LouMacca · 24/01/2011 13:21

As a big football fan I am disappointed but not surprised by their comments.

The official got the decision correct so it is them who look foolish - do they know the offside rule?? I find them calling Karren Brady 'love' in such a patronising way extremely offensive.

Lol at Kenny Dalgleish's comment - classic!

I think its pretty unlikey they will keep their jobs now.