Ferdinand blasts Gray and Keys for comments
England captain Rio Ferdinand yesterday labelled Sky TV’s presenters as prehistoric for their views on female officials while at the same time Uefa described football as being an old boys’ club.
Both presenter Richard Keys and commentator Andy Gray, who usually works with Martin Tyler, were both dropped from Bolton Wanderers’ home defeat against Chelsea due to their employer being forced to condemn comments about assistant referee Sian Massey – branded as being hopeless – while West Ham United’s vice-chair, Karren Brady, was also blasted.
Sky Sports’ managing director, Barney Francis, yesterday revelaed that he spoke to both men to let them know that their comments were of a completely unacceptable standard while also being inexcusable coming from the mouths of any one representing Sky irrespective of role or seniority. While the pair are set to be absent from broadcasts until next week at the earliest, they have been sternly warned that repeat will likely mean the end of their employment at the UK’s largest satellite TV provider.
Through his Twitter account, England skipper Ferdinand heaped praise on Massey while adding that he is all for women assuming refereeing roles and that discrimination should never be an issue in the world’s most popular game. Backing him up, Sports Minister Hugh Robert so joined a chorus of criticism and there are now suggestions that the government will put pressure on the Football Association and try and push it into overhauling its structures so that it is more representative and inclusive to females.