Andy Gray sacked by Sky Sports over sexist comments

The Scot was involved in two incidents during which he made remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers home-tie against Liverpool on Saturday.

Today new evidence involving Gray from last year emerged, which proved the final straw for the former Everton player's career at the broadcaster.

The new footage appears to show Gray making a suggestive remark towards a female colleague.

A Sky Sports statement said: "Sky Sports today 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 declined to comment on when or if Keys would be back fronting their football coverage, though they said this morning that he had not been sacked.

Gray, who has been at the fore of Sky Sports' football coverage since it started covering top-flight English football in 1992, was recorded in a conversation with colleague Richard Keys questioning whether Ms Massey knew the offside rule.

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports said: "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."

Gray and Keys pair were previously disciplined and removed from the channell's coverage of the Bolton v. Chelsea tie on Sunday.

Mr Keys telephoned the official on Sunday night to apologise for his remarks, which were said off air but were picked up by microphone and leaked to the media.

Mr Gray did not call Ms Massey to say sorry but Sky Sports insisted Keys had done so on behalf of them both.

On Monday, new footage emerged in which Gray said to reporter Andy Burton: "What do women know about the offside rule?" Burton has since been disciplined for referring to Massey as a "bit of a looker".

Meanwhile, Massey has been withdrawn as assistant referee for this evening's npower League Two match between Crewe and Bradford, Professional Games Match Officials have confirmed in a statement.

PGMO general manager Mike Riley said: "PGMO and Sian believe that, with any football match, the focus should not be on the officials but on the players and the game itself.

"Sian is an excellent professional who has unwittingly found herself in the middle of a story that has nothing to do with her competence as a match official.

"Sian only wants to be notable for her performance as an assistant referee and is keen for things to get back to normal so she can return to officiating as soon as possible.

He added: "It is important for PGMO to have talented people from all backgrounds getting involved in refereeing.

"The more people are attracted to the game, the better standards will be, and the more everyone can talk about the football."