Media

British Soccer Commentator Loses Job Over Sexist Comments

LONDON (AP) — Sky Sports says it has fired chief soccer commentator Andy Gray.

The British broadcaster says Gray was dismissed “in response to new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behavior” that took place last month.

The former Scotland striker had been reprimanded and temporarily taken off air Monday for making sexist remarks last weekend about female match officials and a West Ham executive.

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, says Gray’s contract “has been terminated for unacceptable behavior.”

Francis says “after issuing a warning … we have no hesitation in taking this action after becoming aware of new information today.”

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

LONDON (AP) — A third member of Sky Sports’ commentary team was temporarily taken off the air for remarks about a female match official.

Field reporter Andy Burton described lineswoman Sian Massey as a “bit of a looker” in leaked taped remarks made before the Premier League match Saturday between Wolverhampton and Liverpool. Massey was officiating the game.

Sky Sports confirmed Burton had been removed from duty for the League Cup semifinal match between Birmingham and West Ham on Wednesday

Richard Keys and Andy Gray, the broadcaster’s leading soccer commentators, were reprimanded and temporarily suspended Monday for making sexist comments about Massey, another female referee and West Ham executive Karren Brady.

Keys later telephoned Massey to apologize, according to the group that represents game officials.

Keys and Gray have yet to publicly apologize for their comments, which have been condemned by commentators, anti-discrimination groups and led to calls for their resignations.

Brady said the remarks made her “blood boil,“ and England captain Rio Ferdinand said the views were ”prehistoric.”

Massey will be officiating in a fourth-tier match Tuesday between Crewe and Bradford.

Comments (26)

  • MUDFLAPS
    Posted on January 26, 2011 at 11:39pm

    I love it, prince charles says he wants to come back as a tampon and this guy gets fired. Humm.
    nuff said.

    Report Post »  
  • flaboater1
    Posted on January 26, 2011 at 4:04pm

    I think he should be cited for lying, or at best, poor eyesite… Massey…”bit of a looker…” LOL

    Report Post »  
  • Akira Gomi
    Posted on January 26, 2011 at 3:40pm

    The British and there over the top PC BS makes them look like deusch bags, that whole nations is on the verge of being taken over by the mooslums. A whole nation who turned against God. Set back and watch whats going to happens to UK, Blimey!

    Report Post » Akira Gomi  
  • Paul -Indiana
    Posted on January 26, 2011 at 3:14pm

    So he was a striker? I didn’t know that he was such a poor baseball player.

    Report Post »  
  • Airb0rne4325
    Posted on January 26, 2011 at 7:14am

    I do not understand what is happening recently. I do believe however that the pendulum will swing the other way soon and all this BS will sort itself out. We’ll get back to “sticks and stones” breaking bones again.

    Report Post » Airb0rne4325  
  • cologoddess
    Posted on January 26, 2011 at 3:04am

    He gives her a compliment and somehow that is bad? wtf is happening to ppl!? good grief ppl!

    Report Post » cologoddess  
  • Canuck GB Fan
    Posted on January 26, 2011 at 12:21am

    *Snore

    Report Post » Canuck GB Fan  
  • retriever
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 11:39pm

    One of the only British sports that is good to watch, and it is ruined by the political police. The commentator was complimenting the FEMALE REFEREE and is fired for being a man.

    Report Post »  
  • Rashomon
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:49pm

    soccer used to be about tough bastards who would lose a testicle and still stop off for a pint on the way to the hospital. Now you can’t say an intemperate word with out making one of them cry.

    Report Post » Rashomon  
  • benrush
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:47pm

    I’m through with this politically correct bull. This is a communist doctrine aimed at curtailing freedom of speech. They are carrying a good idea way too far, over the end zone and out of the stadium. They begin by agitation until people are behaving in ways that defy common sense, and you can’t even voice normal everyday frustrations without invoking some overlord to watch over our speech habits.

    I’m through, just through, obeying or even pretending to go along with the politically correct but linguistically tyrannnical PC thought police.

    Report Post »  
  • conservativeme
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:41pm

    Get over it, love!

    Report Post »  
  • TERMLIMITSNOW
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:38pm

    “Do me a favor love”….L O L

    Report Post » TERMLIMITSNOW  
  • Eatyourcrow
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 9:43pm

    What’s wrong with being sexy?

    Report Post »  
  • ded_progrsv
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 9:33pm

    The radical feminists have won.

    Report Post » ded_progrsv  
  • Sweet Afton
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 8:16pm

    Am I missing something here? This guy got fired for saying that one of the officials is a “looker.” Seriously! In my book, that is a compliment. As a mother of 3 who is pushing 40, I’ll take that “prehistoric” comment any day of the week.

    Report Post »  
  • Derfel Cadarn
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 8:04pm

    Not even this type of coverage will make soccer exciting

    Report Post »  
  • Maximus_Delta
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 7:55pm

    LOL the nation of moral decline and they are worried because he said she was a looker… and the liberals in the USA want to be just like the UK..moral decline…

    Report Post » Maximus_Delta  
  • HillBillySam1
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 7:49pm

    Soccer sucks!! Why was this guy fired?? Stupid Brits….you can’t understand a word they say anyhow….this is just another example that in a decent society the women should be at home cooking, cleaning, making supper, and all of those other types of “women’s work” jobs…..keep the women OFF of the playing surfaces and keep them IN the kitchen where they belong!!! Can I get an “amen!!” from the fellers????

    Report Post »  
    • TERMLIMITSNOW
      Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:36pm

      Amen (i couldn’t use all caps)~!!!

      Report Post » TERMLIMITSNOW  
    • Sergio Q
      Posted on January 26, 2011 at 5:11am

      I just cant decide whos a bigger nuckeldragger,
      TONY~copy/paste~GARROTT or caveman brained people like you(?)
      I wanna meet the girl that beat you at a game or sports activity when you were a kid! -She messed you up Dude!
      …you & TERMLIMITSNOW outta go sip some shine & see who can screech-out the best rebel yell

      Report Post » Sergio Q  
    • Airb0rne4325
      Posted on January 26, 2011 at 7:19am

      Get your panties out your crack Sergio, he was kidding. I know knuckledragging humor when I hear it being a proud “knuckledragging caveman” myself.

      Report Post » Airb0rne4325  
    • Sergio Q
      Posted on January 26, 2011 at 2:22pm

      Dear God lets hope so “AIRBORN4325”
      …if so please pass the salt & pepper so I can season this “crow” I must choke-down.
      {been there before & it don’t taste like chicken. ~BLEGHH~)

      Report Post » Sergio Q  
  • Crewbot
    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 7:45pm

    So?

    Report Post »  

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