Women and the offside rule - Andy Gray sacked

[Stu]

U Mad?

Sky will miss him more than he will miss Sky.

He'll have a line of jobs waiting for him.

He's irreplaceable, who's going to be the voice of football on Sky Sports now? Gary Lineker?!

I find this somewhat unlikely. He's just a rent-a-trap, the same as the rest. They'll get someone else in no problem.

[Risso]

In what way is half a dozen or so lardy football football fans leering at a scantily clad Soccerette in anyway "ironic"?  This is Sky we're talking about here.

[Stu]

It's interesting that you believe that if someone holds the view that women shouldn't officiate at top level football matches they are automatically a bigot.

Seems a little over the top.

Do you think that POV is acceptable then? If so, why? Why does a lino need a cock and bollocks to do their job properly?

[KevinGage]

Isn't he suing News Group Newspapers re the phone tapping scandal? That's part of Murdochs Empire. Hmmmmmm interesting.

Orders from the top then.

I've been waiting for an excuse to cancel sky and this could be it - when my neighbour threatened to over the  Haye-Harrison fight they came back and offered him a cheaper deal, so it's worth a try.

I've probably read this wrong so apologies, but are you saying that subscription TV just wouldn't be worth it without Gray?

Maybe if you, The Situation and others feel so strongly about this there's money to be made.  I'm thinking an Anthony Robbins-style CD or boxset collection, a 12-18 set series of inspirational commentaries "You Beauty!"  for mug punters to listen to on the way to work.

[5ft811st2 Durham]

He forgot about the off camera offhand rule about off colour rermarks. he is not the first...

From listening to his remarks he doesn't agree that Women can be officials in the game, so maybe he should walk away from the game if he doesn't like it. Along with his mate and every other bigot.

It's interesting that you believe that if someone holds the view that women shouldn't officiate at top level football matches they are automatically a bigot.

Seems a little over the top.   

Yes, holding that view DOES mean that you are a bigot

I disagree, it's not like saying a muslim shouldn't be a linesman that would be bigotted, but with regard to women there may well be a logical rationale. I would need to hear the reasoning before making a hard and fast judgement.

[barrysleftfoot]

   Seems that there might be 2 careers ruined by this storm in a tea cup.

   Not a big fan of Keys , quite liked AGray.....not sure i wanted him sacked though, and i feel the lady linesman might be a victim of this pathetic media frenzy as well.

[Stu]

I disagree, it's not like saying a muslim shouldn't be a linesman that would be bigotted, but with regard to women there may well be a logical rationale. I would need to hear the reasoning before making a hard and fast judgement.

Hmmm. So presumably then, on the one hand you're fine with women taking referee's exam's etc, but on the other, saying that for some entirely unnamed reason, they are incapable of officiating at Premier League matches.

[Monty]

That new footage is embarrassing. Gray is a neanderthal - I liked Ferdinand's 'prehistoric' description - and is best left to mope around at the bar at that dodgy pub on the corner you never like to go too near if you can help it. To add to this, he also might be the worst summarise in the universe (I'd rather listen to Lawrenson's awful 'jokes' than hear him say "he really smashed it" one more bloody time), offering nothing in the way of insight but cliches and remarks about football as out of date as his views on gender equality - oh, that and jiggling the attacking midfielder icon around in the formation summary to indicate the 'free role' (cheers, could never have guessed). The worst of the "former players must make good pundits" brigade is gone, thank God.

[Stu]

Seems that there might be 2 careers ruined by this storm in a tea cup.

Not a big fan of Keys , quite liked AGray.....not sure i wanted him sacked though, and i feel the lady linesman might be a victim of this pathetic media frenzy as well.

Nah, she's officiating a lower league game in the week. She'll be back in the Prem soon enough.

[Small Rodent]

Obviously Sky employ the host of blonde lovelies on Sky Sports News for their considerable knowledge of the sporting world.

That's the hilarious irony.

It is ironic, but you were very angry the other day about Ricky Gervais and his comments. Maybe a lot of women are angry about Andy Gray?

Or does personal experience only count?

[Nev]

In what way is half a dozen or so lardy football football fans leering at a scantily clad Soccerette in anyway "ironic"?  This is Sky we're talking about here.

Because it was something of a throwback to the 70's "Miss World" type things that had pretty much vanished from our screens by the time Soccer AM started, similar to the success of the "Lad Culture" and Loaded magazine.

The problem is, the lad culture died long ago it's just a pity Soccer AM didn't, but back to the point. There have never been any serious complaints about Soccer AM, because it's a comedy programme. Crass? yes, funny? a matter of opinion but I'd be surprised if anyone ever viewed it as anything other than a promotional tool for Sky's football coverage. Key's and Gray, as proved by some of the comments on here, were taken seriously and respected for their views. Hence the uproar.

Of course this uproar is distorted by the anti-Murdoch newspapers spying an opportunity, but it doesn't lessen the impact of the comments.

[Rancid custard]

As long as i don't have to hear that ' Take a bow son' catchphrase of his for a while I'll be alright.

I must admit I've had it in for Gray over the last few years, being overly critical, writing us off and being quite disparaging in general, but when I met him he was referring to Villa as we, so not quite the prick I thought he was going to be.

[garyshawsknee]

I think most pundits should have a certain shelf life. When was Gray last playing in the top flight,25 years ago?
The games is a different game now,so get someone younger in i reckon.

But to be honest,i sky plus most games and watch them 15 mins later and fast forward the half time bullshit.

[Chris Smith]

He cannot expect to be found out making comments like that and get away with it and those clutching at straws trying to defend it speak volumes about their own attitudes. Now, let's hope his furry friend is next.

[saunders_heroes]

Are there any women presenters over the age of 40 working for Sky? I bet there isn't. There's plenty of 40+ male presenters though.

There's sexism for you.