Commentators called offside after sexist jibe about female match official

TWO football commentators condemned for making sexist comments about a lineswoman during a match have been taken off the air by their television network.

Former Scotland striker Andy Gray and colleague Richard Keys were told by employer Sky that they would not be allowed to appear on last night's edition of Monday Night Football, which featured Premier League match Bolton versus Chelsea.

The pair caused controversy after claiming that female officials "don't know the offside rule" and predicted assistant referee Sian Massey would make an error during Wolverhampton Wanderers' home game against Liverpool on Saturday. Ms Massey correctly called a crucial borderline decision in the game.

West Ham executive Karren Brady, who was also criticised by the duo, yesterday waded into the row, saying the sexist remarks had made her "blood boil".

Scots Fifa-listed referee Morag Pirie has also condemned the commentators' attitude, warning that such prejudice could deter women from getting involved in the sport.

The comments were made off air, but a tape of the conversation was passed to a newspaper.

Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis yesterday announced that the company was taking "immediate disciplinary action" against the pair - but would not say how long their suspension was likely to last.

"Those views are inexcusable, entirely inconsistent with our ethos as a business and employer, and will rightly offend many of our customers, our people, and the wider public. They are inexcusable from anyone at Sky, regardless of their role or seniority," he said.

"We have dealt with this matter by taking immediate disciplinary action. As with any employee, it would not be right to go into detail on those proceedings. However, they have been clearly warned about their behaviour and reminded of their responsibilities."

Gray and Keys also criticised the ability of female former Premier League official Wendy Toms and attacked Ms Brady for a newspaper column she had written about her experiences of sexual discrimination in the football media.

"Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her," Keys said of Ms Massey. Gray replied: "Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don't know the offside rule."Keys, who has worked for Sky since 1990, also claimed he could "guarantee" that 25-year-old Ms Massey was going to make a big mistake in the match.

Ms Pirie, who was thrust into the spotlight seven years ago, when former Albion Rovers boss Peter Hetherston objected to her role as a referee's assistant in a Third Division match, said she would advise Ms Massey to ignore the comments.

"They are such out-of-date comments which don't help the sport and don't help anyone," she told The Scotsman. "It is not beneficial and does not encourage young women to become involved.

"You have got to be professional and can't let it get to you.

"I am sure that Sian Massey knows herself that she is better than that and she can just rise above it and go on with her job."

Ms Brady, who appeared as one of Lord Alan Sugar's advisers on TV show the Apprentice, said: "It makes my blood boil, if I'm absolutely honest.

"What really upsets me is the fact that only females in our industry are judged by their gender. That is categorically wrong."

She disagreed the comments were "banter". "It almost makes it worse that they're speaking when the microphones are not on as opposed to when they are on because they'd never really have the brass neck to say it publicly," she said.

But Julie Fleeting, 30, a forward with Arsenal and Scotland, said: "Sexist jokes happen every day and if you don't take it in jest, you'll just upset yourself.

"If you're female and take offence that easily, then maybe you shouldn't be in the job.You need to be thick-skinned to work in football. The female in question has come out of this looking very good because, at the end of the day, it has put her out there as making excellent decisions.

"I think these jokes are made in all waks of life and within football, there's a lot of banter, even among the men.

"I think that if women continue to show they can do the same job as men, they wil be respected.

"They have been separate from men in this work, and it has been difficult for men having women coming in."