Mar 16 2008
Sky Sports was under fire last night over claims the broadcaster was biased in its commentary of Liverpool's Champions League victory over Inter Milan.
A legion of angry fans have accused top pundit Andy Gray of favouring the Italian champions over the British club with his comments.
Now Reds supporters are threatening a boycott of the broadcasting giant unless ex Everton star Gray is removed from the commentary team for their club's televised games.
The £20,0000-a-week Scottish pundit incensed Kop fans by branding the sending off of Inter midfielder Nicolas Burdisso "shocking", claiming Liverpool star Lucas commited the foul.
And he got their backs up further by appearing to sound down when Fernando Torres bagged the goal that killed the tie and sent his team into the last 16. Gray said: "It's game over I guess."
Season ticket holder Carl Rittenburg stormed: "I pay £48 per month so I can watch Liverpool's matches on Sky but I'll stop my subscription if they continue to let Andy Gray commentate.
"The man knows his stuff but he is so anti-Liverpool it's shocking and that was clearly evident during the Inter Milan game when he slated us at every chance.
"Gray seemed really annoyed when the Inter guy was sent off - he did nothing but go on about it all game.
"Yet he was calling for Liverpool players to get booked at the end of the match.
"Even when Torres scored the winner - that saw another British side through to the quarter finals - he sounded disappointed. It was like he wanted the Italians to win.
"We're not asking for bias towards Liverpool - were just asking for a fair commentary.
"But in having Gray to cover our games we're not getting that from Sky.
Kop fan Peter Stenton said: "As viewers we pay Sky for a service and a fair commentary when we watch live football - and in most cases that's we get.
"But it seems every time Andy Gray covers Liverpool games out team is given a verbal demolition."
Rita Walsh, 40, said: "I was so disgusted with the one-sided commentary during the game I wrote a letter to Sky to complain.
"Sky Sports has an obligation to provide fair and accurate coverage but in allowing Andy Gray to commentate on liverpool games it is falling woefully short."
Liverpool fans' revolt against Glasgow-born Gray, 53, has been simmering since he was signed up by Sky in 1990.
One Kopite has even set up a facebook group calling for the former nand Aston Villa striker to be taken off Liverpool games.
Scouser Alex Parkin, 28, said: "I set up the group to get Gray off our games.
"If Sky don't take him off then I'll seriously be thinking about scrapping my subscription in protest."
It's not the first time Liverpool fans have revolted against a broadcaster.
In November last year angry supporters called for a boycott of Eastenders after the show linked the HIllsborough disaster to hooliganism.
Campaigners for the 96 dead fans received an apology from the BBC after a character appeared to blame fans for the tragedy.
Sky Sports refused to comment.
Sky Sports was under fire last night over claims the broadcaster was biased in its commentary of Liverpool's Champions League victory over Inter Milan.
A legion of angry fans have accused top pundit Andy Gray of favouring the Italian champions over the British club with his comments.
Now Reds supporters are threatening a boycott of the broadcasting giant unless ex Everton star Gray is removed from the commentary team for their club's televised games.
The £20,0000-a-week Scottish pundit incensed Kop fans by branding the sending off of Inter midfielder Nicolas Burdisso "shocking", claiming Liverpool star Lucas commited the foul.
And he got their backs up further by appearing to sound down when Fernando Torres bagged the goal that killed the tie and sent his team into the last 16. Gray said: "It's game over I guess."
Season ticket holder Carl Rittenburg stormed: "I pay £48 per month so I can watch Liverpool's matches on Sky but I'll stop my subscription if they continue to let Andy Gray commentate.
"The man knows his stuff but he is so anti-Liverpool it's shocking and that was clearly evident during the Inter Milan game when he slated us at every chance.
"Gray seemed really annoyed when the Inter guy was sent off - he did nothing but go on about it all game.
"Yet he was calling for Liverpool players to get booked at the end of the match.
"Even when Torres scored the winner - that saw another British side through to the quarter finals - he sounded disappointed. It was like he wanted the Italians to win.
"We're not asking for bias towards Liverpool - were just asking for a fair commentary.
"But in having Gray to cover our games we're not getting that from Sky.
Kop fan Peter Stenton said: "As viewers we pay Sky for a service and a fair commentary when we watch live football - and in most cases that's we get.
"But it seems every time Andy Gray covers Liverpool games out team is given a verbal demolition."
Rita Walsh, 40, said: "I was so disgusted with the one-sided commentary during the game I wrote a letter to Sky to complain.
"Sky Sports has an obligation to provide fair and accurate coverage but in allowing Andy Gray to commentate on liverpool games it is falling woefully short."
Liverpool fans' revolt against Glasgow-born Gray, 53, has been simmering since he was signed up by Sky in 1990.
One Kopite has even set up a facebook group calling for the former nand Aston Villa striker to be taken off Liverpool games.
Scouser Alex Parkin, 28, said: "I set up the group to get Gray off our games.
"If Sky don't take him off then I'll seriously be thinking about scrapping my subscription in protest."
It's not the first time Liverpool fans have revolted against a broadcaster.
In November last year angry supporters called for a boycott of Eastenders after the show linked the HIllsborough disaster to hooliganism.
Campaigners for the 96 dead fans received an apology from the BBC after a character appeared to blame fans for the tragedy.
Sky Sports refused to comment.
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