Source: Daily_Mail
Andy Burton is latest Sky Sports casualty in sexism scandal
Andy Burton is the latest casualty of the Sky Sports sexism scandal after the reporter was suspended for his role in the second batch of leaked footage.[LNB]The reporter now faces uncertainty over his future with the broadcasters along with Richard Keys and Andy Gray, whose positions look untenable as their own network made fresh revelations about their sexist conduct.[LNB]Like Keys and Gray, who were pulled from Monday night's coverage of Chelsea win at Bolton, Burton has stood down from his broadcasting duties for Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg between Birmingham and West Ham.[LNB][LNB]SKY SPORTS STATEMENTI have spoken directly to both Richard Keys and Andy Gray this morning. It has been made clear to each of them that their comments were totally unacceptable. [LNB]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.[LNB]They are inexcusable from anyone at Sky, regardless of their role or seniority. We have dealt with this matter by taking immediate disciplinary action. [LNB]As with any employee it would not be right to go into detail on those proceedings. [LNB]However, they have been clearly warned about their behaviour and reminded of their responsibilities. In addition, Richard and Andy will not be involved in any way with tonight's live Monday Night Football.[LNB]Barney Francis,Managing Director of Sky Sports[LNB]The new footage - recorded on Saturday before Wolves played Liverpool - shows Gray in conversation with Burton, who describes Massey as a 'bit of alooker' in reference to comments made by another member of the production team. [LNB]Burton begins: 'He says she is all right. Now I don't know if I should trust his judgment on that. Gray replies: 'Nah, I wouldn't. I definitely wouldn't.'[LNB]A crew member then refers to her again and Gray is heard saying: 'I can see her from here. What do women know about the offside rule?' [LNB]Sky Sports declined to comment on when the pair would be back fronting their football coverage.[LNB]The broadcaster insisted they had not been sacked for their disparaging remarks but was unable to confirm exactly when the duo - who have been the faces of the network's football coverage for two decades - would be back on the air.[LNB]A strongly worded statement from Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis had already shown how seriously the network were taking the initial fall-out from Gray and Key's off-air conversation, which waspicked up by microphones and leaked to the Mail on Sunday. [LNB]As well as making more disparaging remarks about Massey, Keys said: 'Did you hear charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism. Do me a favour, love.' [LNB]Beleaguered pair Keys and Gray were already fighting to keep their jobs following unacceptable comments about assistant referee Sian Massey and West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady, which created a storm of protest even before sister channel Sky News provided more damning evidence. [LNB]A Sky Sports spokesman said onMonday night: 'They have not been sacked. Sky News are entitled tobroadcast what they want and we don't interfere. Their material isbeing treated as part of the same issue about which we have alreadymade our position very clear.' [LNB]Francis said: 'I have spokendirectly to both Richard Keys and Andy Gray. It has been made clear toeach of them that their comments were totally unacceptable. [LNB]They areinexcusable from anyone at Sky, regardless of their role or seniority.' [LNB]Keys telephoned Massey on Monday to make a personal apology and she is understood to be more relaxed than anyone else caught up in the maelstrom. [LNB]A spokesman said: 'It wasn't a case of Andy not apologising. It doesn't really make sense for both of them to call.'[LNB]The furore saw Sky having to disband their usual Isleworth-based studio operation for last night's show and a new team was sent at the last minute to Bolton, where the programme was presented by David Jones instead of Keys, while Jamie Redknapp and Eidur Gudjohnsen were brought in as pundits. [LNB]There was also heavy attention to ensure every microphone feed around the ground was monitored as Sky also did for the coverage of Blackburn v West Bromwich on Sunday. [LNB]The decision to take disciplinary action against Sky's leading football figures was discussed between Francis and the station's chief executive Jeremy Darroch. And the hugely negative publicity for the network will not impress overlord Rupert Murdoch, who is in London in the wake of the phone-tapping scandal enveloping his News of the World newspaper. [LNB] Late changes: David Jones, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jamie Redknapp featured at Bolton[LNB]Gray is one of those suing over the alleged phone-tapping. Gray and Keys would not be due to appear on air again until Tuesday week at the earliest, when West Bromwich face Wigan. [LNB]Massey will be back in action on Tuesday night, running the line in the League Two match between Crewe and Bradford. [LNB]The widespread furore against the self-styled kings of Sky Sports football shows no sign of abating. Lord Ouseley, chair of football's equality and inclusion campaign Kick It Out, said: 'This indicates a lack of understanding by individuals who are at the forefront of sports broadcasting, who are revered and respected by many and hints at wider issues about sexism in society.' Brady said the comments 'made her blood boil'. [LNB] In the spotlight: Sian Massey on duty at Wolves (left) and letting her hair down in MySpace picture[LNB]She added: 'What really upsets me is the fact only females in our industry are judged by their gender. And that is categorically wrong. 'I'm genuinely disappointed. It never would have occurred to me that they had those views, whether public or private.[LNB]'It almost makes it worse that they're speaking off air, because they would never have had the brass neck to say it publicly. I have heard it and I don't believe it is just banter.'[LNB]Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish opened his press conference yesterday by asking the Sky Sports representative if he objected to the presence of a female journalist. [LNB] Shamed Gray caught in SECOND sexist tirade over female official MasseyListen to Gray and Keys' sexist comments about Massey and BradyMartin Samuel: Listening to Keys and Gray was like a visit to 70s cabaret clubLaura Williamson: Do me a favour, love... Sky duo's attack was no jokeDalglish: I didn't even know there was a woman running the line at WolvesAndy 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 upFerdinand slams 'prehistoric' Sky duo Keys and Gray over sexist rant [LNB] Explore more:People: Eidur Gudjohnsen, Karren Brady, Sian Massey, Richard Keys, Rupert Murdoch, Kenny Dalglish, Jeremy Darroch, Jamie Redknapp Places: Birmingham, Liverpool, London
