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Sky sacks Andy Gray over sexism row

Sky sacks Andy Gray over sexism row

Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray has been sacked after sexist remarks he and fellow presenter Richard Keys made about a female assistant referee.

Sky Sports Football Commentator Andy Gray has been sacked with immediate effect after further evidence of unacceptable behaviour has been found this afternoon to go along with the Sexism row over the weekend which has involved him and Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys.

On Sunday, the Daily Mail released audio of a conversation between Keys and Gray before coverage of the game between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool when their microphones were apparently still on. The conversation centred around Sian Massey, who was going to be lineswomen for the match and they where questioning if she knew the off-side rule.

This morning further footage showed Andy Gray speaking to Sky Sports Reporter Andy Burton about Massey, and again the comments where unpleasant. Andy Burton has now been dropped from reporting on tomorrow night’s League Cup game between Birmingham and West Ham.

This afternoon at around 4.20pm when the news broke on Andy Gray’s dismissal it was clear this was due to the weekends microphone blunder but also some previous unacceptable behaviour. This unacceptable behaviour involves Andy Gray and Charlotte Jackson off air in December when Gray said: “Charlotte… Do you want to tuck this (shirt) in…” in a crude manner, which was released in video form on Youtube yesterday.

A Sky statement read: “Sky Sports has terminated its contract with Andy Gray. 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 22 January 2011.”

Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis added: “Andy Gray’s contract has been terminated for unacceptable behaviour. After issuing a warning yesterday we have no hesitation in taking this action after becoming aware of new information today.”

This leaves a massive whole in Sky’s coverage, it is unclear whether Richard Keys will continue. Sian Massey has accepted Keys’ apology and has withdrawn from being assistant referee on tonight’s League Two match between Crewe and Bradford.

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