Sky Sports sack Andy Gray
January 25, 2011 · 0 Comments
Sky Sports have sacked football commentator Andy Gray with immediate effect following the recent sexism row. The 55-year-old pundit and presenting colleague Richard Keys were stood down from Monday’s match between Bolton and Chelsea.
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said: “Andy Gray’s contract has been terminated for unacceptable behaviour. After issuing a warning yesterday, we have no hesitation in taking this action after becoming aware of new information today.”
Gray and fellow presenter Richard Keys were recorded off-air questioning Massey’s appointment for Wolves’ game with Liverpool on Saturday, claiming women did not know the offside rule. A third Sky Sports presenter, Andy Burton, has also been taken off air following the remarks about Massey. Keys has since called Massey, who has accepted the broadcaster’s apology.
Gray’s sacking was followed by an announcement from Professional Game Match Officials that they had withdrawn 25-year-old Massey from the npower League Two match between Crewe and Bradford this evening, where she had been due to run the line.
PGMO general manager Mike Riley said: “PGMO and Sian believe that, with any football match, the focus should not be on the officials but on the players and the game itself. Sian is an excellent professional who has unwittingly found herself in the middle of a story that has nothing to do with her competence as a match official.
“Sian only wants to be notable for her performance as an assistant referee and is keen for things to get back to normal so she can return to officiating as soon as possible. Sian has the full backing of PGMO and we hope she continues her development, which has shown excellent progress so far.”
Tags: Andy Gray, Barney Francis, Richard Keys, Sky Sports
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