Sexism in football
Source: Connor Coyne on Unsplash
Andy Gray sacked from Sky Sports for sexist comments
Gray was initially disciplined over off-air comments about assistant referee Sian Massey before Saturday's Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool.
But Sky Sports has now issued a statement saying Gray's contract had been terminated.
It continued: "The decision, which is effective immediately, was made in response to new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour.
"The new evidence, relating to an off-air incident that took place in December 2010, came to light after Andy Gray had already been subjected to disciplinary action for his comments of January 22, 2011.
The off-air incident in December involved video footage showing Gray asking a female co-presenter to "tuck this in", gesturing towards the microphone near his waist.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: "Andy Gray's contract has been terminated for unacceptable behaviour.
"After issuing a warning, we have no hesitation in taking this action after becoming aware of new information."
In the wake of the sacking, Miss Massey announced her withdrawal from the League Two match between Crewe and Bradford.
Gray and his colleague Richard Keys originally came under fire after footage of them talking about the official was leaked to a Sunday newspaper.
The men were filmed agreeing women "probably don't know the offside rule".
Sky Sports reporter Andy Burton has also been taken off the air for his involvement in another exchange with Gray.
Burton initially described 25-year-old Miss Massey as "a bit of a looker", referring to comments by another colleague.
The reporter continued: "He (a Sky Sports crew member) says she (Massey) is all right. Now, I don't know if I should trust his judgement on that?"
Gray replied: "No, I wouldn't. I definitely wouldn't... I can see her from here."
He then swore and added: "What do women know about the offside rule?"
Despite criticism by Keys and Gray, Miss Massey ended up correctly calling a crucial borderline decision in Saturday's match.
The PE teacher, who is engaged to a fellow referee, is one of only two female officials operating as an assistant in the Barclays Premier League and npower Football League.
Source: Sky News
Do you think the presenter should have been sacked?
Was it such a serious offence in your opinion?
Do you know any other examples of sexism?
Comments
First of all, I am very happy that he was sacked! We aren't so lucky, here in Spain. Have you listened to Salvador Sostres, from Telemadrid? His comments were much worst than Gray's.
And second, why men always say that women cannot understand the off-side rule? It is not a philosophical problem, it's only a football rule, it's not so complicated!!!! Perhaps they ar so dumb that for them it is!
See you in a bit!
I see he is a commentator on "Loud and Clear". I found the ex-presenter, Curri Valenzuela, hilarious. Where does telemadrid get them from?
I saw the ex-presenter of "Diario de la Noche", Hermann Terstch, on the telly the other night. They have got him reporting on events in Egypt. OMG!
His comments were much WORSE THAN Gray's.
... why DO men always say ...
You should read the January post on Men v Women and check out the links. There is one about the differences between men and women. I wonder if you'll see the funny side :-)
And I am sure he hasn't been sacked!
It's outrageous!
The guy even looks creepy.