What's she doing in this ~Boys Only Club?

[sashaj22.livejournal.com]

Mic captures Sky presenters' sexist diatribe against female linesman

Sky Sports presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys were at the centre of a sexism row last night after they questioned whether a female linesman knew the offside rule during a Premier League football match.

The commentators, who apparently believed their microphones were switched off, were recorded making disparaging remarks about Sian Massey, 25, before Liverpool’s Premiership clash with Wolves yesterday. They also criticised Apprentice star and West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady who had yesterday written about sexism in a newspaper column.

Commenting on Ms Massey, Mr Keys said: ‘Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her.’

Mr Gray, a former Scottish international footballer, replied: ‘Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule.’

Mr Keys replied: ‘Course they don’t. I can guarantee you there will be a big one today. Kenny (Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish) will go potty. This isn’t the first time, is it? Didn’t we have one before?’

Later in the exchange, Mr Keys said: ‘The game’s gone mad. Did you hear charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Do me a favour, love.’

Ms Brady had said she had ‘experienced sexism at its rankest, lies about my personal life and a level of calculated mischief that is simply appalling’.

Asked about the pundits’ remarks, she said: ‘I think this just sums up everything I said in my column.’

During the game, which Liverpool won 3-0, Ms Massey angered Wolves by refusing to rule Raul Meireles offside before he set up Liverpool’s first goal. The replay showed that she made the correct decision.

When The Mail on Sunday put the transcript to Mr Keys, he said: ‘I have no recollection of that. I have no idea what you are talking about. My recollection is that I wished the young lady all the best.’

When told a recording existed of the conversation, he said: ‘If you have a tape then you don’t need me to talk to you.’

Last night The Mail on Sunday sent a transcript and a copy of the recording to a Sky Sports spokeswoman.

She was not able to confirm or deny the veracity of the clip, which was provided to this newspaper by an anonymous source.

Mr Gray could not be reached last night

source

I was half sleep when I flipped to this game (yes, I watched a Liverpool game). They showed her and my reaction was "what? wait...is that a woman?!?! YOU GO GIRL!!" I don't know if I had these two assholes as my commentators, but iirc, mine praised her for getting the call right/doing a fantastic job.

Comments

[sillyya.livejournal.com]

Wow, I can't believe that some people can be so sexist. You'd think they would make sure they were off-air when saying something so horrible.
She seemed to have handled it quite well.

[mlax39.livejournal.com]

And this isn't the first time they've been caught with their pants down, either...

see: Theo Walcott

[tralala.livejournal.com]

[schmiss.livejournal.com]

This comment is without flaw

[patchist.livejournal.com]

They should be ashamed.

[mhfromnh.livejournal.com]

looks like the clingon felt that smack too.

[furyyy.livejournal.com]

'Do me a favour, love.'
my pet-fucking-peeve.

and we must've had the same comm..he saw the replay and said that she got it 'absolutely right'. :D

[san.livejournal.com]

You mean those guys actually have balls?
(I'm coming with you btw)

[lunar-art.livejournal.com]

[sundust17.livejournal.com]

Steve McManaman and whoever commentates along side him on ESPN also made sexist comments towards her during the game, especially in the first half. It was maddening. And I am raging again after reading the comments above.

[sashaj22.livejournal.com]

ok I was watching ESPN2 too. What did they say bc I obviously missed it....I only paid attention after the goal :\

[postwar-dream.livejournal.com]

I am so full of rage. I would love to show them that I, a female, do in fact understand the offside rule before knocking them both out.

Exactly...

[venisonfurs.livejournal.com]

[greenpixiehair.livejournal.com]

when I was getting into football everyone was all like "ohhhhhh and then there's the ~offside ~rule" in ominous tones

and I asked and someone explained

and was like

is that all?

mmmmmmkkay

[wattle-neurotic.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's disgusting.

‘Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule.’

...last time I checked I was a woman and knew the offside rule. Arrogant bastard.

I bet they only offer a half arsed apology and that will be that.

[venisonfurs.livejournal.com]

Well, someone shared this little gem (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/6140922.stm) in the comments of a Guardian article today. This shit FREAKS.ME.OUT. i've been emailing all sorts of websites to try to get people riled up. These guys need to be held accountable.

[schmiss.livejournal.com]

Women don’t know the offside rule.

Oh ffs, I hate this argument. The offside rule is really not fucking complicated.

No matter what I hear this argument for -- soccer, American football, whatever -- I think, look at some of the complete and utter idiots who follow sports, are women really incapable of understanding it on their level? Pleeeeeease.

[lookingatlucky.livejournal.com]

honestly they should take a look at some of the male linesman and their calls before ragging on her. but they an absolute disgrace to commentators I hope they are seriously reprimanded.

[faith47.livejournal.com]

honestly they should take a look at some of the male linesman and their calls before ragging on her.

SERIOUSLY.

[neecule.livejournal.com]

UGH. DISGUSTING.

"I have no recollection of that. I have no idea what you are talking about. My recollection is that I wished the young lady all the best."

You mean you have no recollection of it being recorded. JFC, just apologize.

[kellyyy-3.livejournal.com]

Fuck the haters
Stay flawless and correct, Sian Massey

[notoriousjk.livejournal.com]

this game was on WAY too early for me, but I heard about this, and I'm kinda glad I didn't watch because I would have flown into a rage listening to them.

JFC......Its not like male refs don't fuck up too.....Howard Webb anyone? If they are going to say that's the wrong call, at least let's not make it about her sex.

I'm glad the mic was on to capture this, such a disgrace.

[rebel-waltz.livejournal.com]

Howard Webb ^_________^

[stationerysets.livejournal.com]

ugh jfc these bitches need to go. unacceptable, it's 2011, step it up.

[holaascensor.livejournal.com]

[genbu-no-miko24.livejournal.com]

LOLOLOL I REMEMBER THIS!!

[4jinx-removing.livejournal.com]

Oh, shut up you twats.

Just because you're a woman, doesn't mean you can't understand the offside rule. Uh, but I can think of some professional footballers who seem to not understand it, though....

[genbu-no-miko24.livejournal.com]

I agree. LOL my own dad can't understand the offside either.

Hey girl haven't talked to you in a while~

[green-sweaters.livejournal.com]

Not that we didn't already know that Andy Gray is an empty headed disgrace to the human race but really women don't know the offside rule? She is a certified match official obviously she knows the rule. I'm so full of rage right now. I would love to get the chance to tell him exactly what I think of him and his exceptional penis given skills as a commentator.

[prussianturtle.livejournal.com]

THIS.

[http://users.livejournal.com/-allbutgone/]

this whole thing was such bullshit. i was so happy that there was a lineswoman but every single time she did anything, the camera was on her and the comms were talking about her and whether or not she was doing her job right. officials make shitty calls all the time and people move on quickly, but her every move was dissected. tbh, i'm embarrassed for these people.

[genbu-no-miko24.livejournal.com]

WHAT FUCKIN EVER SEXIST BASTARDS!!

[cafabriestamos.livejournal.com]

amen

[prettyannamoon.livejournal.com]

I'm happy this article exists, only because I didn't know the EPL had female linesmen.

The rest? Can go wax their backs. The vast majority of comms don't seem to "know" the offside rule, given the number of times they call it wrong before a replay (or argue over it because of stage of play afterwards).

[genbu-no-miko24.livejournal.com]

I agree.

[luxuria.livejournal.com]

wow. here i thought all the condescending "well done!" cooing was bad. "the game's gone mad" nah, just progressed past the 1950s.

[venisonfurs.livejournal.com]

Yes!!! I didn't even noticed the lineswoman (love saying that!)and was not celebrating the goal yet because I thought it was offside! Then when they started chortling about how SHE had gotten it "absolutely right" I perked up and simultaniously went "Right on, sista!" and "WTF?! Did they just give her surprised word cuddles of encouragement because she's got boobs?!"

[irradiant.livejournal.com]

she is my hero. seriously that must not be an easy job to do.

also note to the menz~, offside is not that hard to understand. they're probably just threatened that she made the right call

[venisonfurs.livejournal.com]

Love her. Want to be her. Not in a "Single White Female" sort of way. Well, okay, maybe a little.

[molt]

people are embarrassing

[http://users.livejournal.com/-allbutgone/]

ia. and i wish leslie knope was a real person, she'd totally give these guys a piece of her mind.