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

Sky Sports presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys were at the centre of a sexis

m 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?’
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.
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'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1349729/Own-goal-Mic-captur...

What are your views on the recent employment of Andy Gray and Richard Keys to talkSport?

Tags: andy, brady, football, gray, in, karren, keys, richard, sexism, womens

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Comment by Women's Soccer United on February 9, 2011 at 12:47: UPDATE:

Only a couple of weeks since the story broke out about the sexism incident at Sky Sports involving Richard Keys and Andy Gray (which resulted in the sacking of Andy Gray and the resignation of Richard Keys), radio station talkSport have hired the pair.

Listening to the talkSport shows that followed this story, there views were clearly against the behaviour and yet now do they think that Gray and Key's 'old fashioned' ways have suddenly disappeared and the new Andy and Richard have been reborn with a completely different outlook to women in football? I wonder what the female employees at talkSport think about their new workmates?

Although talkSport have insisted that the decision is not related to the hiring of Gray and Keys, talkSport favourite Mike Parry has resigned from the radio station and the Parry and Graham show is no longer! Which is a great shame as the show was very entertaining. There is a FB campaign to bring back Mike Parry lol.

Personally I will not be listening to talkSport any longer (especially between 10-1pm), I had to remove the station from the preset button on my car radio in case I get tempted! I have enjoyed the station for a long time but feel that this decision in a way supports what Gray and Keys have done and although I understand that talkSport is a business and this publicity will be great for their company, its not a show I will listen to, knowing what Grays and Keys true beliefs are towards women in football!

What do you think?

Comment by Women's Soccer United on January 25, 2011 at 17:33: Update from Sky Sports: Sky Sports today terminated its contract with Andy Gray.

Comment by Women's Soccer United on January 25, 2011 at 17:02: @Jane that is so true! This will effect her career now and they have reported on sky sports news that Sian will not be officiating in the match she was supposed to at Crewe because the focus would be on the officials and not the match.

Comment by Jane Haslam on January 25, 2011 at 16:47: If it's what has to be done to stop a small minded individual saying stupid things then it's justified ......... However I'm sure Sian Massey doesn't want any special treatment just because she is female...

........On a wider front the trouble is that the reaction to this whole episode will make it difficult for others to know how to react to her and other women in the game. Then you open a whole can of worms of whether women are capable of the job they are doing and not just put in there to be politically correct.........!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Jane Haslam on January 25, 2011 at 16:33: Wow...... who would have thought that a little bit of banter could have lead to a sacking.....times they are a changin' ....... AND NOT A MINUTE TOO SOON .... couldn't happen to a nicer man!!!!!!

Comment by Women's Soccer United on January 25, 2011 at 16:20: Thanks for the link.

Love the 'Tweet' by Kenny Dalglish's daughter, former Sky Sports presenter Kelly Cates @KellyCates LOL -

"Am exhausted. Just read about something called 'the offside rule Too much for my tiny brain. Must be damaged from nail polish fumes."

Comment by Asa on January 25, 2011 at 13:23: In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, assistant referee Sian Massey is seen during an English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, Wolverhampton, England, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. Two of Britain's leading soccer commentators were reprimanded by their TV network and taken off the air Monday Jan. 24, 2011 after making sexist remarks about two female game officials and a team executive. Andy Gray and Richard Keys were disciplined on Monday.

Photos:AP

Comment by Women's Soccer United on January 25, 2011 at 10:53: Exactly!!! @Denise

Lol when the linesman said Frank Lampard's goal wasn't a goal they didn't say he got that decision wrong because he is a man!! :P

Its really sad because the next time Sian officiates there will be so much pressure on her when there shouldn't be, she should be treated equal.

Comment by Denise Lobelle on January 25, 2011 at 3:35: Ridiculous. Heard about this earlier. Jane and Little Miss Soccer, you guys said it all. This is the kind if chauvinistic, sexist views many people have, even people at a high level. This is why Womens soccer has an uphill battle. Never ceases to amaze. When you're a female your criticized for everything. Wish they had her during 2010 World Cup. Could have taught those referees a few things. When you're a man and you make an officiating mistake its because you're human and its a tough job to call right. When you're a Woman its because of your gender.

Comment by Women's Soccer United on January 24, 2011 at 17:34: Yeah I agree @Davey