Were Sky right to sack Andy Gray?
“A FEW years ago Ron Atkinson was shown the door for racist remarks and I think it is right that the sexist comments of Andy Gray have been treated in the same way by Sky. “Though it was off camera, it is a sign of the implicit sexism that exists in sports, especially the traditionally male-dominated sports like soccer.
“It is 2011 and we need to be drawing a line in the sand that comments such as this are unacceptable and not appropriate. Sacking Andy Gray isn’t going to stop people having sexist thoughts, but it might stop them voicing them. A message has been sent out.”
“ANDY GRAY didn’t even give Sian Massey a chance beforehand, he had his mind made up about her. It was no surprise really he got sacked. I must say fair play to the organisation, the Premier League, for appointing this woman at such a high level. Obviously it’s very much a male-dominated sport so they were making a big statement with that appointment for the Liverpool game. What she’s doing is brilliant and it’s probably only in five or 10 years that the fruits will be seen. She is a brave girl and if she gets through all of this now, she’ll have shown she has the strength of character to deal with anything. The only pity is that she is suffering already because she was taken off the game she was meant to do (last night), probably to protect her, but that’s unfortunate.”
“SKY were right to sack him. It is hard enough for female officials to succeed in male-dominated sports and the biggest irony was that she had done nothing wrong in her performance. The comments were degrading and should not have been made whether on or off air. Andy Gray should have more respect for people and it doesn’t matter if they are male or female. I’m a fan of soccer and would have thought Andy Gray was funny and good at his job but when I heard his comments I lost all respect for him. It now will be difficult for Sian Massey to go back out and do the job again when she realises what some small-minded people think about her.”
“I THINK it was blown out of proportion. Andy Gray is entitled to his opinions. What was said, was said in private with his colleagues. I’m not saying what he said was right, but I think that the punishment doesn’t justify the crime. Sky are losing a very good broadcaster; I think a ban for a while and a slap on the wrist would have been enough. I hope that Sian Massey can bounce back from this. It is going to be very tough on her to perform with all the attention that this story has generated.”
“IT was probably the right decision. It’s very disappointing that someone like him would come out with something like that in this day and age. And it’s happened a couple of times so it’s not as if he was joking, not that it’s a joke anyway. He’s got his comeuppance in the end but he’s obviously not the only one thinking that women shouldn’t have anything to do with soccer at that level. It doesn’t make it any easier for women to progress. How he and Richard Keys could come out with those sort of comments for someone officiating at a Premier League game, who has passed all the tests, is just unbelievable.”
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