Sky Sports presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys have been dropped from Monday’s line-up after their off-air sexist comments, the broadcaster said.
The pair caused controversy after agreeing female officials “don’t know the offside rule” and predicting lineswoman Sian Massey would drop a clanger during Wolves’s home game against Liverpool on Saturday. She ended up correctly calling a crucial borderline decision.
On Monday, Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said the pair had been disciplined and dropped from coverage of Monday’s Bolton versus Chelsea match.
He said: “I have spoken directly to both Richard Keys and Andy Gray. It has been made clear to each of them that their comments were totally unacceptable.
“Those views are inexcusable, entirely inconsistent with our ethos as a business and employer, and will rightly offend many of our customers, our people, and the wider public.
“They are inexcusable from anyone at Sky, regardless of their role or seniority.
“We have dealt with this matter by taking immediate disciplinary action. As with any employee it would not be right to go into detail on those proceedings. However, they have been clearly warned about their behaviour and reminded of their responsibilities.
“In addition, Richard and Andy will not be involved in any way with tonight’s live Monday Night Football.”
Responding to the comments West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady told Victoria Derbyshire on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It makes my blood boil, if I’m absolutely honest. What really upsets me is the fact that only females in our industry are judged by their gender. And that is categorically wrong.”
However Richard Keys’ sister Susan phoned the programme to defend him. She said: “He hasn’t got anything bad to say about women, I have never heard him making comments before.”
