Sky Sports red card Gray as sexism row rages on

ANDY GRAY was sacked by Sky Sports yesterday after more footage emerged of the presenter appearing to make an inappropriate remark about a woman.

For the third time in three days, off-air comments made by Gray came into the public domain, with the latest video showing the 55-year-old saying something suggestive to fellow presenter Charlotte Jackson.

The footage was circulated two days after a recording in which Gray and colleague Richard Keys made controversial comments about assistant referee Sian Massey.

The release of the new material prompted the termination of Gray’s £1.7m-per-year contract, a day after he and Keys had been disciplined for their remarks about Massey. Lawyers Schillings said last night they had been instructed by Gray over his dismissal.

Sky Sports reporter Andy Burton was also sanctioned after footage emerged of him and Gray commenting on Massey’s appearance.

Announcing the departure of Gray, the face of the broadcaster’s Premier League coverage since it began almost 20 years ago, Sky said: “Sky Sports today terminated its contract with Andy Gray. The decision was made in response to new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour.

“The new evidence, relating to an off-air incident that took place in December 2010, came to light after Andy Gray had already been subjected to disciplinary action for his comments of 22nd January 2011.”

The new footage, recorded last month, shows Gray lifting his belt while Jackson is attaching her microphone pack. He says: “Charlotte, can you tuck this down here for me.”

Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said: “After issuing a warning yesterday, we have no hesitation in taking this action after becoming aware of new information.”

Reporter Burton was earlier disciplined for describing Massey as a “bit of a looker” in an off-air, but recorded, conversation with Gray prior to Saturday’s Premier League game between Wolves and Liverpool.

Burton was stood down from tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final between Birmingham and West Ham.

Sky Sports declined to comment yesterday on when or if Keys would be back fronting their football coverage.

Keys telephoned Massey on Sunday night to apologise on behalf of himself and Gray, an apology she accepted.

Last night a further video emerged of Keys making lewd comments about the girlfriend of a co-presenter.

It was not known if Keys apologised to West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady, who he also disparaged for suggesting sexism was rife in soccer.

Plymouth Argyle manager and former England football star Peter Reid, a friend of Gray’s, said believed his sacking was “unfair”.

Reid told BBC: “The comments he made to Richard were tongue in cheek and a joke and you can’t do that nowadays, so it seems.”

Reid said he suspected the sacking may be linked to the fact that Gray is pursuing legal action in relation to alleged phone-hacking by the News of the World — a subsidiary of News Corporation, which owns a large stake in BSkyB. Former British Labour press supremo Alastair Campbell also raised questions about a possible link with the court case, sending out a message on Twitter to say: “Andy Gray sacked. Richard Keys not clear. Difference? Keys not suing News of the World.”

Gray and comedian Steve Coogan have gone to Britain’s High Court in an attempt to force private investigator Glenn Mulcaire to reveal which News of the World journalists asked him to hack into their phones. Gray’s mobile number, password and pin were found in notebooks seized during a police raid on Mulcaire’s home in 2006.