Sky Sports announcers Andy Gray and Richard Keys have learned an important rule of broadcasting – unless you are sure that your microphone is off, don’t say anything stupid. Sadly, they learned this the hard way when their sexist comments toward lineswoman Sian Massey during Saturday’s match between Liverpool and Wolves were leaked online.
According to telegraph.co.uk, the off-air comments were in reference to a call during which Massey did not penalize Raul Meireles for being offside before assisting on Liverpool’s first goal. A video replay confirmed that Massey was correct in letting Fernando Torres’ goal stand, but that didn’t stop the announcers’ diatribe toward the 25-year-old official. “Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her,” Keys said.
“Can you believe that?” Gray said in response. “A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule.”
Massey wasn’t the only woman under attack by Gray and Keys. They also criticized Karren Brady, vice chairwoman of West Ham. Brady wrote a column discussing sexism in sports. In reference to that, Keys said, “The game’s gone mad. Did you hear charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Do me a favor, love.”
Brady called the men’s comments “abhorrent,” while the Football Association expressed its “wholehearted and continuing support” for female officials.
BBC.co.uk reports that Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis has suspended the announcers for at least one game, saying, “Their comments were totally unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, support has cropped up in favor of Sian Massey. Telegraph.co.uk reports that Ian Blanchard, the Football Association’s senior refereeing manager called Massey one of the best officials in the league.
“The decision [Massey] made in the Wolves-Liverpool game on Saturday was the sort of decision only a top-quality official, of whatever gender, would get right, a crucial decision that leads to a goal, and she was shown to be correct,” he said. “She is absolutely in the position she is in on merit. Sian epitomizes the quality of officials we’re looking to produce.”
