Gray/Keys on Women in Football

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After hearing all about Andy Gray and Richard Key's off the mic comments on women in football, I felt the need to step forward and say something.

The comments, that the woman lines-person in the Liverpool v Wolves game, Sian Massey, would need the offside rule explained to her and that she would get a huge decision wrong, came as the experienced Sky campaigners thought they were off the mic before the broadcast was submitted.

However, their disrespect for women in football, the FA for their confidence, and Miss Massey is evident.

The official, who has worked her way up through both the women's and men's ranks, impressed with her performance, calling the opener onside, despite contrary calls from elsewhere, a decision which was proved correct when Raul Meireles was sent clear.

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This was taken from a superb article by former referee Graham Poll on their actions, you can have a read here.

Let me make my opinion clear, there is room for women in football, despite what these former ''professionals'' think and these comments might have been with the view that they don't want the game, which saw them become famous, to change.

As well as Sky, other broadcasters have begun to shy away from appointing knowledgeable journalists in television positions in favour of the former pro's, even in formula one for the coming season, but you wonder whether this unprofessional lapse might prompt a re-think across the board.

Gray himself is well known for his controversial personality, one that has seen him become a success on Sky's weekend football team, but the real question might be whether Sky decide to stick with the duo, who have been at Sky for 13 years between them.

On research, Keys has also had a spat with Roy Keane before, with the former Ipswich manager being recorded as saying "I was asked last week by ITV to do the Celtic game," he said. "A couple of weeks before that I was asked to do the United game against Celtic at Old Trafford. I think I've done it once for Sky. Never again. I'd rather go to the dentist. You're sitting there with people like Richard Keys and they're trying to sell something that's not there." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Keys)

The worst thing is that the duo are not just criticising one person (which in turn is bad enough), having also verbally abused former West Ham United's vice chairman, Karen Brady, in the onslaught.






Karen Brady was left offended by comments made about her.




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If no-one else acts justifiably then the FA should, as it's them who have given women, and Miss Massey, a chance at the top level.

An FA statement on the Independent's website read: "The FA has made real strides in encouraging both male and female match officials to enter the game at every level, and will continue to offer every encouragement to all officials within the football family to progress to the highest levels possible.

"We are proud to have some of the world's best match officials, both male and female.

"Overall the number of female referees in England (Levels 1-8) stands at 853 and climbing, and all of our female match officials act as fantastic ambassadors for the game. They have our wholehearted and continuing support.




Sian Massey also ran the line when Blackpool travelled to Sunderland in December.



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I believe that the duo, who will now face talks with their employers, have apologised to the assistant, but that's not really good enough when there is a clear belief against what they have apologised for.

True characters aren't always shown on air and if that is what Keys and Gray believe, then they should be ousted from Sports, and by broadcasters who have found a reputation for producing the best quality sports coverage.

They've let their employers, the public and women lines-persons down and action should be taken to see women's integration into professional men's football as smooth as possible.





Gray and Keys might be testing their 3D glasses from home after they revealed their true beliefs about women in football.


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I can only hope this scenario has no effect on Miss Massey officiating in the Barclays Premier League again when, perhaps, she might find some appreciative pundits for her impressive displays.