Gray sacked - more to it ...

[andy-hughes]

It now seems that Andy Gray has been sacked.

The reason given is a 'suggestive remark' made to a female presenter in respect of the placing of a microphone pouch.

I smell a massive rat here.

If this hapened two months ago - it is apparent that the female presenter did not make an issue of it - from the clip, she either didn't hear Gray, or ignored him, she certainly didn;t appear shocked or offended. The only way Sky could make this a sacking issue is because they have the incident on film and have chosen to resurect it now.

A little perspective i think.

When men and women work regularly together, they develop a level of banter that suits both sides, and as someone who has worked in mixed gender offices for nearly thirty-seven years, i can confirm that some of the exchanges would make a docker blush, but everyone knows nothing is meant by it - and it does appear that this was the case in this instance.

Gray is guilty of stupid and insensitive comments regarding the female assistant, and maybe a weak joke with his collague which has been caught on camera, and would otherwise have been dismissed.

Could his sacking on the evidence of these instances - one of which is weeks old, and appears not to have caused an issue at the time - be anything to do with Gray suing News International in the phone hacking scandal that cost Andy Coulson his job.

The same News International who own Sky, and whose Sky News - a separate entity from Sky Sport - chose to air the comments made by Gray and Keys?

It all seems just a bit too convenient, and in my view, infair in view of the offences.

A suspension, an serious warning, and an on-air apology would have been more apropriate in my view.

What say You

[bibblebub]

Sky got rid of Rodney Marsh for making a toon army / tsunami joke, so they are not averse to taking decisive action for things said.

[jno]

it's possible; but it could also just be the last straw, on top of earlier revelations. He just looks more and more like an escapee from the 1940s and Sky are well within their rights to decide that's not the corporate image they want to project for themselves or for the sport.

[ludwig]

It does look suspicious. The incidents were nothing really - not sackable offences I wouldnt have thought. In the 'linesman' tape, Gray hardly said anything - the main idiot was the other bloke, Richard Keys.
Also suspicious - how did these 'off air' recordings come to light anyway?

[anneasquith]

well, a very interesting point, andy

[Gromit]

Gray is a kn0b who should have been sacked years ago. He has spoilt my TV viewing for too long, and whatever spurious reason they are using to get rid of that imbecial, it is very welcome.

I not really bothered he got sacked for old man banter, I just rejoice that he has gone, never to offend my ears again, and let him play out the rest of his sad life swapping racist and sexist comments over a round of Golf with with Big Ron.

He has gone - finally.

[eyethenkyew]

To be totally honest, there are millions of people throughout the world who engage in sexist banter, but in Gray's case, Sky had no choice but drop him like a hot potato because of the fact that he was caught on air "doing a naughty", and that was his downfall in today's ultra PC society. They couldn't afford to keep him otherwise it smacked of them condoning his comments.

However, is there one pixel on here able to put hand on heart and swear never ever, ever, to have indulged in any sexist banter? I'm a bloke and certainly have, and I've had women make such comment towards me as well. As long as all parties present are comfortable with it, what's the problem?

[jno]

there's a valid distinction between what you do in private and what you do in public, and that includes in front of cameras and microphones. Any broadcaster who forgets or ignores that is in the wrong job.

[slinky.kate]

i went out on a date with andy gray when i was about 17/18,he lived in greenock

[BertiWooster]

Now , where have I heard this ' didn't realise the microphone was on ' business
before .
It will come back to me in a minute .

[flip_flop]

I've never been one for conspiracy theories but this also crossed my mind Andy.

Whether Andy Gray is liked or not is irrelevant - the fact of the matter is the two known incidents do not warrant sacking, and were he to take it to a tribunal I strongly suspect Sky Sports would be in for a kicking.

If Sky wanted to get rid of him they should have pulled him from air and then not renewed his contract and not use these very very minor incidents as an excuse.

Christ, if Gray can be sacked for these non-offensive comments - and anybody who has found them offensive needs to grow up a bit - then how come the menopausal harpy old harridans on loose women are still fillng our screens with bilge? They have elevated misandry and sexism to an art form!

[quizzywig]

I agree with you jno, I think the female co-presenter would have ignored the obnoxious andy gray's remarks as the usual sexist stuff he apparently came out with. If you are in the public eye - have a extremely well paid job for just giving your opinions - then you should watch what you say when you are at work. He seems to be an unpopular person along with Richard Keys as there are many people happy to see the back of them.

[chelle7272]

I'm just glad he's gone, he's blighted football for too long!

[AKMild]

Doesn't News Corporation, a large minority shareholder in BSkyB, ultimately own The Sun? You know, the paper that is known for its photographic appreciation of pretty girls........?

[Sqad]

I just don´t get this:

A guy born in Glasgow .......poorly educated......plays football.......adored and cosseted by Scottish fans as an International.........hailed by club fans that he plays for.....gets a job......give him 1 million pounds a year...or more and you are surprised that he is sexist.

[joggerjayne]

I agree.

Way over the top reaction.

And the saddest part is, it is SKY TV ... not Andy Gray ... who have ruined that linesman's career.

For ever, she will be known as the linesman involved in the sexism row.

If Sky TV had just left it, she would have become known as the linesman who made Andy Gray eat his own words when she correctly called a player onside, when AG had said that he was offside.

[jackthehat]

I don't think the surprise lies in his private views, it lies in his inability to temper what he says when in a 'public' position.

[Sqad]

JTH

<<<it lies in his inability to temper what he says when in a 'public' position.<<<

The same could be said for a well educated person, but for someone brought up as he had been, in the company that he had been in, then that is easier said than done.

On an occasion when my secretary came in and said:

"Mr sqad, could I borrow your dictaphone?"

I replied " No use your finger like anyone else"

Stupid? Yes....juvenile?....Yes

Sackable.........I would hardly think so.

This country is rapidly losing it´s sense of humour in my opinion.

[joggerjayne]

Whereas Charlotte Jackson always knows what to say in a public forum.

As she said in Nuts magazine ...

(speaking about the film crew sticking revealing pictures of her on the wall) ...

"We're all young, so there's plenty of banter."

(speaking of her new job in sport)

"I used to do girl on girl."

(speaking of the best way to approach her)

"Just bowl up to me ... and do a blokey chat up line"

(speaking lewdly about a parachute jump she had done)

"Well, the rip cord had to go somewhere!!!"

Yep ... there's a woman who certainly knows what to say in public.

[jackthehat]

<<Stupid? Yes....juvenile?....Yes

Sackable.........I would hardly think so.>>

But *his* employers obviously felt differently..........
Your secretary would doubtless have joined her colleagues, at lunch, and shared with them your latest witticism........and perhaps you were fortunate 'not' to hear what comments it drew ?