Richard Keys and Andy Gray slammed by Rio Ferdinand over 'prehistoric views'

24 January 2011 15:06
England captain Rio Ferdinand has defended referees' assistant Sian Massey against the 'prehistoric views' of suspended Sky Sports duo Richard Keys and Andy Gray. [LNB]The pair commented on Massey's appointment for the Barclays Premier League game between Wolves and Liverpool at Molineux on Saturday, when they believed their microphones were switched off. [LNB]They agreed that female officials 'don't know the offside rule', and have since been stood down for tonight's broadcast of Bolton v Chelsea. [LNB]Click here to listen to Keys and Gray attack female linesman Sian Massey[LNB] Centre of the storm: Andy Gray and Richard Keys (left) and Sian Massey (right)[LNB]Keys also went on to remark on comments made by West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady in The Sun on Saturday morning about the level of sexism in football by saying: 'See charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour, love.'[LNB] Ferdinand has joined the chorus of disapproval over the comments, writing on his Twitter account: 'I'm all for women refereeing in football, discrimination should not happen in our game at all...prehistoric views if you think otherwise.'[LNB] Powerful voice: England captain and Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand[LNB] Massey defied Keys and Gray's opinions by making a correct borderline call in the build-up to Liverpool's first goal at Molineux, and Ferdinand added: 'Did anyone see the decision the lineswoman made in the Liverpool vs Wolves game...top decision. Judge them like men on their ability to ref.'[LNB] Enlarge Outspoken: Ferdinand took to Twitter to back Sian Massey and female officials[LNB] Andy Gray and Richard Keys suspended from Bolton v Chelsea match as backlash escalates over Sky duo's sexist rantGraham Poll: Outdated Sky duo Keys and Gray are a smug and sorry messLinogate - the fall-out begins: Sky say sorry as Andy Gray and Richard Keys foul upWatch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video player  [LNB]  Explore more:People: Rio Ferdinand, Karren Brady Places: Liverpool, United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail