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.