Gray & Keys In Sexist Row

[Craig_H]

Mike Riley, general manager of the referees' body said: "All referees and assistant referees are appointed on merit and ability. They are assessed on their performances only."

Interesting statement from Man Utd's former favourite son, before Webb took over.

Nice to see that Riley's corrupt ways have seen him promoted to general manager.

[Rudo]

GRAHAM POLL: Outdated Sky duo Richard Keys and Andy Gray are a smug and sorry mess after 'sexist' jibe at woman linesman

By Graham Poll
Last updated at 11:08 PM on 23rd January 2011

Andy Gray and Richard Keys clearly think they are experts in all matters football, and you only have to listen to their smug declarations and ‘blokey’ guffawing to see that 20 years as Sky Sports ‘kingpins’ has done nothing to help their humility.

As a result, there will be few sympathetic callers following their arrogant, sexist tirade; condemning a female match official when they thought they were ‘off mic’.

Their ‘Gordon Brown moment’ was released by an unnamed source who, no doubt, Gray and Keys will seek out.

That person may be one of many who has finally had enough of the atmosphere which prevails under Gray and Keys.

It must be very difficult for female match officials to progress in men’s football and any who do, do so on merit and should be held up as role models, not subjected to outdated, sexist attitudes.

Wendy Toms was the first woman to run the line in the Premier League and did so very competently many times for me.

She had excelled in women’s football, where performance and promotion are dealt with entirely separately from men’s football and so it is to her credit that Toms was not content with top European women’s football; she wanted to prosper in the men’s game.

At the start the facilities could lead to some embarrassment at changing and shower time but top-flight clubs have embraced the inclusion of female officials and separate changing facilities are available at all grounds.

It’s a pity that the two highest profile and most experienced TV employees have not brought themselves up to speed.

Sian Massey has dedicated herself to gaining promotion in men’s and women’s football rather like her role model, Toms.

She is already on the FIFA assistant referees’ list in women’s football and at just 25 that is a magnificent achievement.

On Saturday, she performed exceptionally well and, at the key moment in the game, was perfectly positioned to allow Raul Meireles to continue on a forward run despite appearing to be offside.

Replays proved Ronald Zubar had played Meireles ‘on’ and he squared the ball to Fernando Torres who opened the scoring to settle Liverpool’s nerves.

Massey herself will wish this incident had never happened and will want to get on with officiating without her gender being commented upon.

Hopefully, her performance and demeanour will encourage others to start officiating and at least some good can come from the unwarranted comments from two men who should know better.

The last time I had the temerity to criticise Keys and Gray for their puerile and unfair attack on referee Uriah Rennie, Keys phoned me and abused me for doing so.

He told me I was punching above my weight and he left me with the impression I wasn’t wanted at Sky. That showed the man’s true colours.

Between the two of them they prevent free speech and thought as any adverse comments are quashed by them.

Oh, by the way Richard, don’t bother phoning me after this comment — your opinions are of no interest to me.

[Craig_H]

Not often i've said this, but well in Poll.

[CJ]

GRAHAM POLL: Outdated Sky duo Richard Keys and Andy Gray are a smug and sorry mess after 'sexist' jibe at woman linesman

By Graham Poll
Last updated at 11:08 PM on 23rd January 2011

Andy Gray and Richard Keys clearly think they are experts in all matters football, and you only have to listen to their smug declarations and ‘blokey’ guffawing to see that 20 years as Sky Sports ‘kingpins’ has done nothing to help their humility.

As a result, there will be few sympathetic callers following their arrogant, sexist tirade; condemning a female match official when they thought they were ‘off mic’.

Their ‘Gordon Brown moment’ was released by an unnamed source who, no doubt, Gray and Keys will seek out.

That person may be one of many who has finally had enough of the atmosphere which prevails under Gray and Keys.

It must be very difficult for female match officials to progress in men’s football and any who do, do so on merit and should be held up as role models, not subjected to outdated, sexist attitudes.

Wendy Toms was the first woman to run the line in the Premier League and did so very competently many times for me.

She had excelled in women’s football, where performance and promotion are dealt with entirely separately from men’s football and so it is to her credit that Toms was not content with top European women’s football; she wanted to prosper in the men’s game.

At the start the facilities could lead to some embarrassment at changing and shower time but top-flight clubs have embraced the inclusion of female officials and separate changing facilities are available at all grounds.

It’s a pity that the two highest profile and most experienced TV employees have not brought themselves up to speed.

Sian Massey has dedicated herself to gaining promotion in men’s and women’s football rather like her role model, Toms.

She is already on the FIFA assistant referees’ list in women’s football and at just 25 that is a magnificent achievement.

On Saturday, she performed exceptionally well and, at the key moment in the game, was perfectly positioned to allow Raul Meireles to continue on a forward run despite appearing to be offside.

Replays proved Ronald Zubar had played Meireles ‘on’ and he squared the ball to Fernando Torres who opened the scoring to settle Liverpool’s nerves.

Massey herself will wish this incident had never happened and will want to get on with officiating without her gender being commented upon.

Hopefully, her performance and demeanour will encourage others to start officiating and at least some good can come from the unwarranted comments from two men who should know better.

The last time I had the temerity to criticise Keys and Gray for their puerile and unfair attack on referee Uriah Rennie, Keys phoned me and abused me for doing so.

He told me I was punching above my weight and he left me with the impression I wasn’t wanted at Sky. That showed the man’s true colours.

Between the two of them they prevent free speech and thought as any adverse comments are quashed by them.

Oh, by the way Richard, don’t bother phoning me after this comment — your opinions are of no interest to me.

a time to change i think, i doubt sky will do anything. There would need to be one hell of an uproar about this.

she did a good job and its not fair on her to become known for this rather than the ability she has to do her job

[Rudo]

Internet sniggers were as bigoted as Keys and Gray

Yes, of course Richard Keys and Andy Gray's comments on Sian Massey, the lineswoman at Wolves are odious but at least we know about their bigotry now. The sniggers and the patronizing internet chatter, masquerading as a spirit of equality when it wasn't, was a lot worse when it started on Saturday lunchtime. "Disappointed in Richard Keys & Andy Gray. In this day and age women in football should be given more respect, especially the attractive ones," Andy Townsend tweeted last night. Nice one mate.

Let's leave this issue to the men of the world, instead. Ask Ryan Giggs about women's place in football and he'll tell you about his extraordinary yoga coach Sarah Ramsden. Ask Mark Hughes and he'll tell you about Dr Sue Bridgewater, the Warwick Business School tutor whose has taught him management. The debate is not whether a woman is good enough to run the line; it is whether players will start to curb their anger if a woman is standing before them.

[Qantaga]

Andy Gray is a cock. But, I actually remember this, and I found it kinda amusing even if it was very very unprofessional.

And let's be honest, not that I want to turn this into a debate but men aren't allowed to be sexist when women are. Everyone should just grow up and take it in their stride

\Q

[Red_Polo]

So everyone should grow up by accepting ignorance is 'just a bit of fun'?

[Qantaga]

You mix and match like a ****ing pick 'n' mix. That's not quite what I said now is it

\Q

[Red_Polo]

That's why it was a question, Cletus.

What should everyone take in their stride?

By the way you can get all the same lot of sweeties at the pick 'n' mix if you want. Sometimes at the Odeon I just get a handful of the cherries.

[CJ]

That's why it was a question, Cletus.

What should everyone take in their stride?

pavements?

[Craig_H]

Come on Polo, you mean you HAVENT learnt to take racism, sexism and bigotry in your stride?

Get with the times....

[Rudo]

You'd have to worry about what will happen if/when a female official makes a big mistake. might turn nasty.

[CJ]

and it will be becasue she is a woman as though no male ref or linesman ever made a mistake

[Rudo]

and it will be becasue she is a woman as though no male ref or linesman ever made a mistake

yep that's what i mean, everyone will be saying they shouldn't be involved in football, it's a man's sport and all that ****e.

[Red_Polo]

pavements?

5 points to you, Sir.

Come on Polo, you mean you HAVENT learnt to take racism, sexism and bigotry in your stride?

Get with the times....

You're like a ****ing Samsonite factory, Craig. You make a solid case.

\R