Linogate! Sky 'sorry' after sexist tirade from presenting duo Andy Gray and Richard Keys

Andy Gray and Richard Keys were forced to apologise after sexist off-air comments about assistant referee Sian Massey were made public.



Sky's football presenters ridiculed Massey's ability to understand the offside law before Liverpool's 3-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.



In fact, the highly-rated Massey, 25, got a crucial offside call right in the build-up to Liverpool's opening goal. Gray and Keys also criticised West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady in remarks that were not broadcast but later leaked.



Sorry: Gray (left) and Keys (right) have issued apologies following their remarks about a female assistant referee and the West Ham vice-chairman

On Sunday night a Sky Sports spokesperson said: 'The comments reported today are not acceptable. They were not made on air or broadcast in any way but we have spoken to Richard and Andy and told them our views. They have apologised and expressed their regret.'

Neither apologised on air during Sunday's Blackburn-West Bromwich Albion game, but there will be pressure on them to do so in their Monday Night Football show, when Chelsea take on Bolton.



A leading pressure group last night called for action to be taken against them while England captain Rio Ferdinand also publicly backed Massey. The FA defended the progress of women in the professional game.



Speaking to each other in the studio before the game, believing their microphones were off, Keys had said: 'Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her.'



Former Scotland striker Gray replied: 'Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don't know the offside rule.' To which Keys said: 'Course they don't. I can guarantee you there will be a big one today. Kenny (Liverpool manager Dalglish) will go potty. This isn't the first time, is it? Didn't we have one before?'

Walk the line: Massey has received support from all sides following her appearance during the clash between Wolves and Liverpool

What they said...

KEYS: Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her.

GRAY: Can you believe that? Women don’t know the offside rule.

KEYS: ‘Course they don’t.

GRAY: Why is there a female linesman? Somebody’s ****ed up big.

KEYS: I guarantee there will be a big one today. Kenny (Dalglish) will go potty. This is not the first time. Didn’t we have one before? Wendy Toms?

GRAY: She was ****ing hopeless as well.

KEYS: Did you hear charming Karren Brady complaining about sexism?

Kenny Dalglish’s daughter Kelly Cates wrote this cutting tweet about the controversy:

'Phew am exhausted. Just read about something called “the offside rule”. Too much for my tiny brain. Must be damaged from nail polish fumes.'

The comments were labelled 'appalling' and 'medieval' by Football Against Racism in Europe, a group who work with UEFA to wipe out all discrimination in football.



Executive director Piara Powar, who this week organised a conference in Amsterdam which vowed to increase the number of women in the game, said: 'Their comments reveal the appalling and damaging sexist attitudes that exist across football.



'It is unacceptable that two of British football's biggest names are heard espousing views, whether intended for broadcast or not, that undermine and disparage the efforts of women in the game.

'In an era when women's and girls' football is the biggest growing sport in the UK, their comments are medieval in tone, unacceptable and should lead to immediate action from BSkyB.'



Ferdinand said via Twitter: 'What's wrong with a woman being an official in a football game? I'm cool with it. All that counts is do they get the decisions right.'

The FA said they are proud of female officials like Massey. A spokesperson said: 'The FA has made strides in encouraging both male and female match officials to enter the game at every level, and will continue to offer every encouragement. All of our female match officials act as fantastic ambassadors for the game.'



Keys also turned his attention to Brady, adding: 'The game's gone mad. Did you hear charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Do me a favour, love.'



Brady had said she had 'experienced sexism at its rankest, lies about my personal life and a level of calculated mischief that is simply appalling' in her Saturday newspaper column. Asked about the pundits' remarks yesterday, she said: 'I think this just sums up everything I said.'





