Andy Gray to make UK commentary return for first time since Sky Sports sacking
· Yahoo Sports
Andy Gray is to make his return to UK commentary for the first time since he was sacked by Sky Sports for sexist and derogatory comments when he worked for the broadcaster.
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The former Everton player most recently worked for beIN Sports in Qatar, after he was fired from Sky Sports and longtime colleague Richard Keys resigned over a row sparked by sexist comments during a broadcast for 2011.
Since the expiry of their beIN Sports contract at the end of last season both Gray and Keys have returned to the UK, setting up a podcast together entitled Keys & Gray Unleashed.
Gray has also embarked on a return to commentary for TalkSport’s coverage of this season’s Champions League.
The 70-year-old will co-commentate alongside Jim Proudfoot on Liverpool’s group stage opener against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday.
He told the Daily Mail last month that he’d “like to think” he could return to the airwaves. “Not television, maybe, but radio. Just to see what it feels like again. I would like that.”
Keys and Gray were fixtures of Sky Sports’ coverage in the early 2000s before they both departed after being recorded making derogatory remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis and the ability of female match officials in 2011, while further evidence then emerged of misogynistic remarks by both men.
Keys was recorded saying: “Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her (Massey-Ellis),” with Gray replying: “Yeah, I know. Can you believe that? Female linesman. Forget what I said – they probably don't know the offside rule.” He then added: “Why is there a female linesman? Somebody's f***** up big.”
Footage then emerged of Gray making a lewd comment to presenter Charlotte Jackson, prompting his firing, while Keys was criticised for disparaging remarks he made to Jamie Redknapp about an ex-girlfriend.