Fork Handles |
01-25-2011 07:30 PM |
Bad Andy
LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Sky Sports soccer pundit Andy Gray :english: has been sacked after making sexist comments about a female match official last weekend, the broadcaster said on Tuesday.
Presenter Richard Keys and Gray, a former Scotland striker, were stood down temporarily after they were recorded questioning whether assistant referee Sian Massey "knew the offside rule".
Massey, 25, ran the line at Saturday's Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool Premier League match and was widely praised for making the right call on Liverpool's first goal.:3some:
"Sky Sports today terminated its contract with Andy Gray," Sky Sports said on their website ( www.skysports.com).
"The decision, which is effective immediately, was made in response to new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour," it added.
"The new evidence, relating to an off-air incident that took place in December 2010, :tellsecret: came to light after Andy Gray had already been subjected to disciplinary action for his comments of 22nd January 2011."
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, added: "After issuing a warning yesterday, we have no hesitation in taking this action after becoming aware of new information today," he added.
Massey was due to run the line :MyEmoticons-com__bo at Tuesday's League Two (fourth division) game between Crewe Alexandra and Bradford City but has been withdrawn to avoid the media spotlight.
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