London - Two high-profile Sky Sports presenters have been taken off air temporarily after making “unacceptable” comments about a lineswoman in a Premier League game, the television channel said on Monday.
Host Richard Keys and pundit Andy Gray have apologised, but their comments have been branded as outdated by a woman's sports foundation.
They will not present this week's “Monday Night Football” after saying female officials “don't know the offside rule”.
The pair were talking off-air about assistant referee Sian Massey ahead of the match between Wolves and Liverpool on Saturday.
In fact, Massey, 25, made the correct call on a borderline decision, allowing the opening Liverpool goal to count.
Believing their microphones were switched off at the time, Keys said “somebody better get down there and explain offside to her” to which Gray responded “women don't know the offside rule”.
Keys then said “of course they don't”, before adding: “I can guarantee you there'll be a big one today.
He then talked about comments made by West Ham vice chairperson Karren Brady in the Sun newspaper about the amount of sexism in football.
“See charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour, love,” Keys said.
Sky Sports Managing Director Barney Francis said in a statement: “It has been made clear to each of them that their comments were totally unacceptable.
“Those views are inexcusable, entirely inconsistent with our ethos as a business and employer, and will rightly offend many of our customers, our people, and the wider public.
“They are inexcusable from anyone at Sky, regardless of their role or seniority.”
He said immediate disciplinary action had been taken, but declined to elaborate. The channel said in an earlier statement that the pair had apologised.
Sue Tibballs, chief executive of the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation, said the men's views were “outdated bunkum”.
“Our research shows that if you ask kids ... whether sports are for girls or boys, they are much more open-minded, and sport is becoming less gendered, if you like, in their eyes,” Tibballs told Sky News.
“Obviously, for people that are older in years, they are holding attitudes that are not in step with that.”
More than 850 women are referees in England at various levels.
“The FA has made real strides in encouraging both male and female match officials to enter the game at every level,” the Football Association said in a statement.
The FA's Kelly Simmons told BBC television Massey had “got there on merit”.
Gray did praise Massey during the game for making the right call on the Liverpool goal. Liverpool went on to win 3-0. - Reuters