Football pundits in sexism controversy ....

[Che a chara]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1349729/Sky-Sports-presenters-sexist-diatribe-female-linesman-Apprentice-star-Karren-Brady.html :


Sky Sports presenters score an own goal as microphone picks up sexist diatribe against female linesman - and Apprentice star Karren Brady

By MAIL ON SUNDAY REPORTER
Last updated at 5:16 PM on 23rd January 2011

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/01/23/article-1349729-0CDE2D05000005DC-188_233x347.jpg
Richard Keys and Andy Gray believed their microphones were switched off


Sky Sports presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys were at the centre of a sexism row last night after they questioned whether a female linesman knew the offside rule during a Premier League football match.

The commentators, who apparently believed their microphones were switched off, were recorded making disparaging remarks about Sian Massey, 25, before Liverpool’s Premiership clash with Wolves yesterday.

They also criticised Apprentice star and West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady who had yesterday written about sexism in a newspaper column.

Commenting on Ms Massey, Mr Keys said: ‘Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her.’

Mr Gray, a former Scottish international footballer, replied: ‘Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule.’

Mr Keys replied: ‘Course they don’t. I can guarantee you there will be a big one today. Kenny (Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish) will go potty. This isn’t the first time, is it? Didn’t we have one before?’

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/01/23/article-1349729-0CDCEDAB000005DC-28_233x535.jpg
The Sky presenters made disparaging remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey


Later in the exchange, Mr Keys said: ‘The game’s gone mad. Did you hear charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Do me a favour, love.’

Ms Brady had said she had ‘experienced sexism at its rankest, lies about my personal life and a level of calculated mischief that is simply appalling’.
Asked about the pundits’ remarks, she said: ‘I think this just sums up everything I said in my column.’

During the game, which Liverpool won 3-0, Ms Massey angered Wolves by refusing to rule Raul Meireles offside before he set up Liverpool’s first goal. The replay showed that she made the correct decision.

When The Mail on Sunday put the transcript to Mr Keys, he said: ‘I have no recollection of that. I have no idea what you are talking about.

'My recollection is that I wished the young lady all the best.’

When told a recording existed of the conversation, he said: ‘If you have a tape then you don’t need me to talk to you.’

Last night The Mail on Sunday sent a transcript and a copy of the recording to a Sky Sports spokeswoman.

She was not able to confirm or deny the veracity of the clip, which was provided to this newspaper by an anonymous source.

Mr Gray could not be reached last night.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/01/23/article-1349729-01DD55890000044D-145_468x477.jpg
Karren Brady has said she 'experienced sexism at it's rankest, lies about my personal life and a level of calculated mischief that is simply appalling'

Here's the audio recording of the exchange:

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

[Che a chara]

Both of these pundits are normally self centered and arrogant, but this show of 'male bravado' and chauvinism takes their idiocy to new levels and even today Richard was presenting a football game and not a mention or an apology from him. And he himself should be aware of the hurt this kind of discrimination can cause as he was victim in the past of abuse, jibes and jokes because of his unusually overtly-hairy arms and hands !!! (to which he took great exception)

[brigadista]

i smell insecurity....

[Skooma Addict]

crybaby

[Ocean Seal]

Wow this is fucked up, all because a lineswoman made one bad call. Seriously these pundits need to learn two things. First, fuck sexism, and second its just futbol, chill, you won't remember one bad call six months from now. :tt2:

[Che a chara]

The worst about it is that she made the right call, it wasn't off-side, yet these machismos made no acknowledgement during their analysis.

[#FF0000]

crybaby

Who?

[Jazzratt]

Pope in Catholicism controversy. Football punditry has always been full on the borderline with this sort of thing, the idea that when the microphone's off it gets worse doesn't surprise me at all.

Not that we shouldn't condemn this bullshit or try to improve it but it's one hell of an uphill struggle.

[#FF0000]

My only exposure to Andy Gray and Richard Keys is from FIFA11 so personally this is gutting for me.

[bricolage]

The worst about it is that she made the right call, it wasn't off-side, yet these machismos made no acknowledgement during their analysis.
Yeah it was a good decision. I thought it was offside when I first saw it but the replay showed otherwise.

[Che a chara]

Sadly this'll probably all blow over in a few days. They've been the faces of Sky Sports for 2 decades so i'd say they're under no threat.

Wonder what Georgie Thompson and Kirstie Gallacher thinks of it all :tt1:

[bricolage]

straight up though I still hate linos

[Robert]

Dude on the right drinking a Budweiser. I guess not every one over there is snotty about his beer, eh?

[Bud Struggle]

Dude on the right drinking a Budweiser. I guess not every one over there is snotty about his beer, eh?

It's only the Communists. :D

If they ever had a woman official in the NFL you'd really see what sexism looked like.

[Che a chara]

straight up though I still hate linos

The refs though, you just know they came from troubled childhoods; being bullied at school, or having demanding and pressurising parents, so they take up the whistle and just act it for 90mins. Power trips and ego boosts. very unapproachable and unpleasant and then theres their body language .... urrrgh

[Che a chara]

Dude on the right drinking a Budweiser. I guess not every one over there is snotty about his beer, eh?

Bud's cool and crispy, but the pints out of a tap are very watery over here.

[Che a chara]

Sky Sports Presenters Sorry For Off-Air Gaffe

11:18am UK, Monday January 24, 2011
Tom Parmenter, sky news correspondent

Two Sky Sports football presenters have apologised after they were caught making critical comments about a female assistant referee.

Host Richard Keys and pundit Andy Gray were recorded off-air saying women "probably don’t know the offside rule", when they were discussing the appointment of Sian Massey to Saturday’s Premier League match between Wolves and Liverpool.

Keys said: "Somebody better get down there and explain the offside rule to her."

To which Gray replied: "Yeah, I know, can you believe that? A female linesman. That’s exactly what I was saying: women don’t know the offside rule.

"Why do we call them linesmen?"

Keys then added: "Course they don’t. I can guarantee you there'll be a big one today. Kenny (Liverpool manager Dalglish) will go potty."

He then remarked on comments made by West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady in The Sun on Saturday about the amount of sexism in football, saying: "The game’s gone mad. See charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour, love."

The comments, which were not transmitted, were made when the pair believed their microphones were switched off.


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.

Sky Sports spokesman

A Sky Sports spokesman has said the remarks were "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."

The Football Association has given its support to Massey, 25, who made a correct borderline call in the build up to Liverpool’s first goal.

http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2011/Jan/Week4/15909066.jpg
Sian Massey (right), pictured here with her colleagues before kick-off

An FA statement said: "The FA has 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."

LINK: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Article/201009115908957

[ComradeMan]

OMG OMG people are posting sources such as the Daily Mail and Sky News....

LOL!!!!

;)

Re the OP- well---- it's hardly a major issue although football punditry in the UK has been in hot water before for racism etc- so well, it doesn't surprise me.

[LiberationFrequency]

Andy Gray is an idiot, I thought everyone knew this. Also, how many times have male officials made the wrong call? MEN DON'T UNDERSTAND THE OFFSIDE RULE.

[ComradeOm]

Unfortunately Keys and Gray are going nowhere. They're the face of this hyper-capitalist enterprise that we call the Premier League. I can't see them being moved on due a 'minor matter' of sexism. Which is a pity in more ways than one - their commentary and insight is as dull and as one dimensional as Stoke. A team who Gray feels that Messi would struggle against (http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/12/21/2271054/lionel-messi-is-not-good-enough-for-stoke-city-barcelona)


OMG OMG people are posting sources such as the Daily Mail and Sky News....

LOL!!!!

;)What? The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2011/jan/23/sky-presenters-sexist-remarks-female-official) is more suited to your tastes?

[ComradeMan]

What? The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2011/jan/23/sky-presenters-sexist-remarks-female-official) is more suited to your tastes?

Forget about it already---! ;) It was re the recent controversy on sources.

But no, I prefer

La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport.
:lol:

[Skooma Addict]

Forget about it already---! ;) It was re the recent controversy on sources.

But no, I prefer

La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport.
:lol:

You like Italy. We get it.

[ComradeMan]

You like Italy. We get it.

So... someone who err... lives in Italy isn't likely to read the err... Italian newspapers?

:rolleyes:

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Forget about it already---! ;) It was re the recent controversy on sources.

The troll is still butthurt over being called out on his bullshit. Poor ickle troll.

[ComradeMan]

The troll is still butthurt over being called out on his bullshit. Poor ickle troll.

And this is not a troll post...?

Please allow me to return... you're still "butthurt" about the fact you fucked up a basic fact of mathematics that an elementary school kid could have worked out........ Einstein:lol:

[Che a chara]

Well the two lemons were actually dropped/suspended from presenting the Bolton .vs. Chelsea game last night by Sky, but on the downside to that they brought in the horrible walrus Sam Allardyce to commentate in place of Andy Gray, which proved to be very teeth-grinding.

[ComradeMan]

Well the two lemons were actually dropped/suspended from presenting the Bolton .vs. Chelsea game last night by Sky, but on the downside to that they brought in the horrible walrus Sam Allardyce to commentate in place of Andy Gray, which proved to be very teeth-grinding.

I think it's a bit overreacting dropping them for this case, they should have been asked to apologise or explain themselves to the spectators or something- or perhaps they are trying to make a statement about "football culture" in general.

[Che a chara]

Sky reporter Andy Burton dropped in wake of Sian Massey comments
• News follows standing down of Richard Keys and Andy Gray (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/25/richard-keys-andy-gray-rio-ferdinand)
• Touchline reporter caught on camera making sexist remarks

Owen Gibson
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 25 January 2011 13.36 GMT
Article history

34JxxlUUhc8

The Sky Sports touchline reporter who was caught on camera making sexist comments about a female assistant referee (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34JxxlUUhc8) ahead of Saturday's match between Wolves and Liverpool has also been hauled off air by the broadcaster.

In unbroadcast footage that emerged last night, after Andy Gray and Richard Keys had already been stood down for sexist comments about the same official (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/25/richard-keys-andy-gray-rio-ferdinand) that had been leaked to a Sunday newspaper, Andy Burton was shown discussing Sian Massey with Gray.

Burton said "apparently, a female lino today, bit of a looker", with Gray responding: "A female linesman?"

"He [a Sky Sports crew member] says she [Massey] is all right," Burton continued, "now I don't know if I should trust his judgement on that?"

Gray then said: "No, I wouldn't. I definitely wouldn't ... I can see her from here," before swearing and adding: "What do women know about the offside rule?"

Burton had been due to appear in his role as a touchline reporter on Sky's coverage of tomorrow night's Carling Cup semi-final second leg between Birmingham City and West Ham but will now be replaced, it is understood.

The reporter had previously been at the centre of unwelcome headlines for Sky Sports in 2007, when he was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 compensation following a pub fight with the DJ Richard Bacon.

Betfair, the online betting exchange endorsed by Gray, said today it condemned the former player's behaviour but would not be dropping him from its advertising for now. Gray has been a very visible presence in its latest advertising campaigns. "Betfair doesn't tolerate sexism, and we expect others who represent our brand to share similar values," said a spokesman. "We've expressed our disappointment to Andy Gray's representatives about the comments that have been reported in the media over the last 48 hours. At present we have no plans to change the way we work with Andy."

It is understood that Sky are treating Gray's involvement in the incident as part of the same offence for which he has already been disciplined. Both were warned as to their future conduct by Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis and told that any repeat offence would lead to the sack.

It is unclear when they will return to the screen, but there are no scheduled Premier League matches until next week due to the FA Cup. The broadcaster said that it had made clear to both that their comments were "totally unacceptable" and "inexcusable from anyone at Sky regardless of their role or seniority".

Today, a third clip emerged that appeared to show Gray making sexist remarks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cS8OkAiXCI&feature=youtu.be) before going on air.

Keys apologised to Massey, who is due to run the line tonight at a League Two match between Crewe and Bradford, by telephone on Sunday night.

The pair discussed Massey's appointment for the game at Molineux on Saturday, speaking when they believed their microphones were switched off. They agreed that female officials "don't know the offside rule", with Keys adding: "I can guarantee you there'll be a big one today. Kenny [Dalglish] will go potty."

Keys went to remark on Brady's newspaper column, saying: "The game's gone mad. See charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour, love."

Brady said the comments made her "blood boil" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/24/keys-gray-karren-brady-sky) while England captain Rio Ferdinand labelled them "prehistoric".

LINK: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/25/sky-andy-burton-suspended-sian-massey

[Che a chara]

I think it's a bit overreacting dropping them for this case, they should have been asked to apologise or explain themselves to the spectators or something- or perhaps they are trying to make a statement about "football culture" in general.

Rumours doing the rounds is that Sky (Rupert Murdoch) want to off Andy Gray because he has threatened to sue the News of the World (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/sky-sports-andy-gray-determined-to-settle-score-documents-show-2178131.html#) (Rupert Murdoch).

But yeah i'd like to have seen them go on screen last night and apologise for their comments and explain.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I am a man, with hairs on my chest, and I don't understand the offside rule. Nor do I give a toss about it. Just saying.

In seriousness though, this is disgusting but not really surprising. What would be surprising would be those toss pots rightfully losing their jobs for being so backward and sexist.

[ComradeOm]

Andy Gray's been sacked. This news is so fresh that all I have is this:


Andy Gray sacked by Sky for offensive behaviour

Sky have sacked leading football presenter Andy Gray.

More to follow.Hopefully the story will have developed somewhat by the time you actually visit the BBC link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9373280.stm)

[Che a chara]

Andy Gray's been sacked. This news is so fresh that all I have is this:

Hopefully the story will have developed somewhat by the time you actually visit the BBC link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9373280.stm)

Just turned over to Sky Sports News and the 'breaking news ticker' is saying 'Andy Gray leaves Sky Sports', it says also Sian Massey has been withdrawn from tonight's match in which she was supposed to be 'linesman'/assisting.

[bricolage]

I hope the entire ITV punditry team start making sexist comments, then they could all get fired too.

[Dr Mindbender]

I wonder if they're still going to be allowed to commentate for video games as well?

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Please allow me to return... you're still "butthurt" about the fact you fucked up a basic fact of mathematics that an elementary school kid could have worked out........ Einstein:lol:

Actually, I admitted my mistake when presented with a simple proof. But don't let the facts get in the way of your career as a pathetic troll.

[Che a chara]

Well turd #2 has resigned (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/26/richard-keys-resigns-sky-sports-sexism). I was actually surprised to see a big fuss was made out of this and it got a lot of attention.

The two faces gone. The end of an era.

You canny beat Jeff Stelling anyway ;)

[Che a chara]

I hope the entire ITV punditry team start making sexist comments, then they could all get fired too.

And the ESPN stomach churners !! They got one of the worst panels in history including the Setanta rejects they got.

[Wanted Man]

They're fucking idiots, but why should they get sacked? What, people involved in professional football said something discriminatory in private? Holy shit, call the police. In our beautiful, modern, civilised game where women are fully accepted, and which is full of homosexual players who came out of the closet without being driven to suicide, and 2 people made a sexist joke? Well, I never!

It would have been much more surprising if they had said it with the mics on, because saying anything that might be controversial on live television is something that they've been avoiding for their entire careers. That's just how manly these macho men are. That's why all footballers these days look like robots, with their plainly disinterested faces, headphones on, and always the same fucking non-offensive monologues:

"It was nice to have scored, but I play for the team. Well yeah, you'd like to have the 3 points in the bag, but that's football. It's 11 vs 11 and the ball is round. You can never tell with these opponents. You can win or lose to them. Oh yeah, you can draw too. It can freeze and it can thaw. What, Chelsea have offered €20M for me? Well that's news to me. No, I will neither confirm nor deny it. Right now I just want to focus on my football, get my head down and play for the team. I just wanna play football, I just wanna play football, blah blah blah..."

And some of these people end up going into punditry, which is a big mistake. Most of them should be sacked simply for having nothing useful to say about football at any time. This is actually the one aspect of the British game that is worse than ours. Every single one of these British pundits are utter wankers. Give me good old Johan Cruyff any day, who is incomprehensible to anyone who doesn't already worship at his feet. Or Louis van Gaal, the only man in football who speaks in the third person non-ironically. They're not perfect, but at least they're old-fashioned men who have what all footballers lack today, personality.

This made me laugh though:


When The Mail on Sunday put the transcript to Mr Keys, he said: ‘I have no recollection of that. I have no idea what you are talking about.

'My recollection is that I wished the young lady all the best.’

"No recollection", I fucking love that. It's not quite an admittance, and it's not quite a barefaced lie ("I swear on my mother's tits that I never said anything like that!"). It's just a bunch of vagueness when you already know that there's a 90% chance that they've got a recording, but you never know.

[ComradeMan]

Every single one of these British pundits are utter wankers. Give me good old Johan Cruyff any day, who is incomprehensible to anyone who doesn't already worship at his feet. .

:lol: Didn't you know that he can walk on water too?

Although these commentators seem to have said things in bad taste and yes it was sexist I think it's a bit of an overreaction although the British news is saying there were other previous issues involved.

At the same time as commentators are being crucified for a sexist joke that we have probably all heard before anyway the crowds are hurling abuse at each other of the worst kind and chanting racism and ignorance. There's a lot wrong with football and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Ashamedly, the tifosi, specifically gli ultras are not the best example of open-mindedness and sportsmanship at times. One of the reasons I don't go to football matches so much, too much hatred and stupidity in the stadium all the time.

[Manic Impressive]

And some of these people end up going into punditry, which is a big mistake. Most of them should be sacked simply for having nothing useful to say about football at any time. This is actually the one aspect of the British game that is worse than ours. Every single one of these British pundits are utter wankers. Give me good old Johan Cruyff any day, who is incomprehensible to anyone who doesn't already worship at his feet. Or Louis van Gaal, the only man in football who speaks in the third person non-ironically. They're not perfect, but at least they're old-fashioned men who have what all footballers lack today, personality.

Gordon Strachan was hilarious the other night. They showed a clip of him playing from the 80's and made a comment about how tight the shorts were he replied "Aye, the shorts in those days were so tight that by the end of the game you could tell what religion someone was."

That made me lol but at first I was thinking can he say that?

[Wanted Man]

:lol:

I have no doubt that footballers were more accessible to the public and had much more personality before the development of the modern, commercial game.

One journalist here famously said: "If you wanted to interview Cruyff or Van Hanegem, you only had to make a call, and you'd be sitting at his kitchen table the next day. Nowadays, the Pope is easier to reach."