A better mix in football?

[anotheoldgit]

In the wake of another Sky sports reporter also being hauled off air for making the comment "apparently, a female lino today, bit of a looker".

The question must be asked, 'should female officials take part in what after all is a male dominated game'?

Or are we to spoil the game of football by demanding first gender equality? although I do believe there is not one gay player who has 'come out' in all the leagues.

Then a more racial mix, but no problem there we already have a good mix, except there seems a shortage of Asian players, so how do they fix that problem?

[pa___ul3]

or the referee's a juan kerr... for the right price!?

Anyway, it seems Andy Gray has had his contract terminated by Sky Sports partly due to this.

[Ankou]

awww, whats he gonna do for 20 grand a week now?

[eyethenkyew]

I saw MotD on Saturday where this young lady made a fantastic "not offside" decision during the Wolves v Liverpool game, one which many male colleagues may have quite feasibly missed.

Andy Gray of course has now been sacked by Sky Sports for his unguarded comments. I'm certainly not condoning what he and Keys said, but what was their actual "crime"? Not so much saying what they said, but being caught doing so. For, let's face it, the truth is that many men AND women do make sexist remarks - lots in public, too. However, the vast majority of us are not caught saying such comments via a broadcasting medium.

Therefore, there but for the grace of God go - how many of us???

[jackthehat]

How many of us work for an International Broadcast Company, and therefore have a higher level of personal responsibility for what we are heard to say ?

[pa___ul3]

ITK - by the look of it it wasn't just for that comment either, there was an off-air incident in december.

[pa___ul3]

ITK - I meant eyethenkyou, distracted then!

[eyethenkyew]

pa__ul3,

Yes, that's right. That incident related to Gray inviting Sky Sports News presenter Charlotte Jackson to "tuck my shirt in, Charlotte", indicating his groin area.

[campbellking]

Andy Gray has been obnoxious towards all match officials (male and female) for some time. His silence when Sian Massey got that decision right for the first goal was deafening. I cannot think that he would have maintained this silence had she got it wrong.
I am a qualified football referee (female) who referees mainly in the men's game. To let Mr Gray down gently, I was actually top in the county in my exams when I took them amongst a predominantly male set, so do have good understanding of the offside law. I have encountered very little sexism (but do ref at park level, not professional ), have received much encouragement from male colleagues, and just the 'normal' level of adverse comments from players and spectators. I can think of no reason why women should be excluded from the game if they have proved themselves proficient at that level.

[joggerjayne]

Oh, yes ... poor little Charlotte.

She was so upset by nasty Andy.

Poor timid little shrinking violet ... Charlotte "Swimsuit Model" Jackson.

What is it with these wimpy women? They give the rest of us a bad name.

[joeluke]

Women should stick to womens football

Having female officials leaves the door wide open for the 'get your t1t$ out for the lads' chants.......wouldn't want that to upset our girly referees/linespersons now would we?

As for the shortage of Asian players, if they were good enough they'd be playing

[bimbo123456]

Surely the girlies have enough on their plates massaging massive male egos...kidding LOL