Sky sack Gray after 20 years for unacceptable behaviour
SKY PUNDIT Andy Gray was sacked yesterday after further allegations of sexist behaviour emerged.
The 55-year-old was stood down from Monday night’s coverage of Chelsea’s match at Bolton, following comments made about female referee Sian Massey (below) before Saturday’s match between Wolves and Liverpool.
But after fresh evidence emerged yesterday, Sky felt compelled to take further action against the former Everton and Aston Villa striker who had fronted their football coverage for 20 years.
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis 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.”
The footage which ultimately cost Gray his lucrative position showed the ex-Scotland international talking off-air with Sky Sports’ reporter Andy Burton about Massey.
The pair discussed Massey’s appearance, with Burton referring to her as “a bit of a looker” while Gray asks: “What do women know about the offside rule?”
Burton was “warned” about his remarks and he will not be involved in Sky’s coverage of tonight’s Carling Cup tie at St Andrews.
A further clip, thought to have been filmed in December, then surfaced on YouTube in which Gray appears to ask Sky Sports News reporter Charlotte Jackson to tuck his microphone into his trousers.
Gray’s long-time on screen partner Richard Keys was caught up in a fresh storm last night after a clip of him making lewd comments in off an air chat with Jamie Redknapp and other pundits made its way onto the video sharing site.
Massey, meanwhile, was withdrawn from her role as assistant referee in last night’s League Two match between Crewe and Bradford City.