British Soccer Commentators Accused Of Harboring "Appalling And Damaging Sexist Attitudes"

Sky Sports' Andy Gray and Richard Keys apparently didn't realize their mics were on prior to yesterday's match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton.

That's when they were discussing thoughts on lineswoman Sian Massey's abilities.

Mr Keys said: "Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her."

Mr Gray 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?"

Yesterday Mr Daglish's daughter, Kelly Cates, mocked the two presenters' comments in a message on the social networking site Twitter.

Mrs Cates, a former Sky Sports News presenter who now works for ESPN, wrote: "Phew am exhausted. Just read about something called "the offside rule". Too much for my tiny brain. Must be damaged from nail polish fumes."

The Telegraph reports a Sky Sports spokeswoman "refused to confirm or deny the veracity of the tape and declined to comment on the presenters' remarks." The anti-discrimination FARE network accused Gray and Keys of expressing "appalling and damaging sexist attitudes."

Sky Sports presenters in sexism row over off-air comments about female linesman [ Telegraph] (H/T Tomuban)

UPDATE: Here's a link to audio of the comments, courtesy of Christopher Harris at EPL Talk.