It’s only ever men who say sexism isn’t a problem in football.

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It’s only ever men who say sexism isn’t a problem in football.

Posted on 23 January 2011.

There is a bit of a feminism alert here so any Neanderthals might be best stopping reading now. Then again, as Rebecca West once said, “I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute.”

For those who aren’t quite clear, feminism is nothing more than the desire that women are treated like equal human beings, not a desire to denigrate men. How dare we huh?

Just getting that clear.

In the Wolves v Liverpool match there was a female linesperson in what apparently was her second match. She had one ‘call’ to make, an offside decision which she got right and, as a result, Liverpool went one up. Before the replay every woman on twitter, even non-football following relatives of people on twitter, were hoping that she had got it right. This, of course, prompted a few men to completely miss the point and respond with variations of ‘why are people surprised she got it right, she’s a professional, and a few other statements which simply highlighted the fact that where one portion of fans are sexists in the extreme, the remainder could be said to be totally ignorant to that fact no matter how ‘PC’ they try to be.

As @HayleyWright said, the women weren’t celebrating because she got it right, we were celebrating because had she got it wrong there would have been a ‘retarded backlash against women officials.’

And there’s the thing, when a man gets it wrong (which they do often, just see the linesman in the first half of the Arsenal match yesterday if you want a few examples) he is simply branded useless. When one woman gets something wrong, then all women are branded useless and told they have no place in the game.

Now I’m not saying that this is the view of the majority, but it is the view of a significant portion of football followers. Sad but true and no doubt a lot of you will argue that I’m over-reacting to the size of the problem, but I guarantee that you will all be men and that no woman will back up any statement which says there is no sexism in football, or that sexism is ‘under control.’

Cue Andy Gray and Richard Keyes, hardly poster boys for progression, but nonetheless, women could have expected a far better reaction from two of the most well-known pundits in the game.

Not so. Caught off-camera, but still miked up, they let rip with comments which, had they been about race, would have seen them removed from the airwaves a la Ron Atkinson. But they won’t be, and that, in turn, endorses the view that sexism does no harm and is an acceptable part of football.

So what did they say? Well, the conversation went like this:

RK “someone should get down there and explain the offside rule to her”

AG “Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule”

RK “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?”

The conversation then continued.

RK “The game’s gone mad. Did you hear charming Karen Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Do me a favour, love.”

Do I need to point out what the hell is wrong with that entire conversation? For a start, I am female and I understand the offside rule better than any man I know (in real life). I understand the whole first phase, second phase, active etc and can call it better than most I ever watch matches with. I get it. I’ve been going to football for over 30 years, how dare ANYONE tell me I don’t know about football or the laws of the game simply because of my gender.

HOW FUCKING DARE THEY.

It’s as stupid as saying ‘Oh he has blonde hair, how the hell would he know anything about football!’

But I know how the arguments will go, I’ve had to fight against them my whole life. I had one guy I worked with who wouldn’t even talk to me about football because I was female. Then he wouldn’t talk to me because I humiliated him in front of the entire workforce by knowing more than he did. Small penis would be my guess. Is that sexist? Oops.

They didn’t mean it. They were only having a bit of banter. Blah blah blah. Substitute race for gender and would it be a ‘joke’? Would it be tolerated?

Of course it wouldn’t. But excluding 50% of the population? Well that’s just fine and any woman who gets annoyed about it is clearly just highly-strung or on her period.

It’s a fucking disgrace.

As I’ve already mentioned, the MALE linesperson at the Arsenal match in the first half got at least three calls wrong. These weren’t even debatable, they were just wrong. Has there been any mention about how men don’t understand the offside rule? How he let his whole gender down? How he has shown that men shouldn’t be involved in the game? Don’t be so stupid, yet here we are, talking about it when the woman involved GOT HER CALL RIGHT.

Not only is sexism alive and well in football, like homophobia, it is acceptable and there is no will to change it.

The fact that a number of people will now try to argue otherwise just reinforces this point, so please, let me hear why this isn’t an issue.

I’d love to hear you explain how that entire conversation isn’t indicative of the mainstream view in football. Please.

All this stems from her getting the decision right. Can you imagine what it would be like if she’d got it wrong?

And THAT is why women of the web united in their joy yesterday.

Simple really.

Shame on you Sky.

Shame on you.

UPDATE – Listen to the audio for yourself here

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Johnny Hoy

Right On Sister.
lowkey

it is an issue, but it’s not done any favour by football still being generally viewed as dumb and brainless by the large majority of women. doesn’t mean women in general are “guilty” of this stigma – however, you can’t deny the fact, that football is a sport that men are a lot more likely to play and enjoy. that’s a fact and the reasons for it are irrelevant.

things are wrong indeed. but it’s not that one-sided – a lot of men enjoy football very emotionally, and a lot of women disrespect the sport. i’m not saying this as a defense, it is not, but gender issues aren’t just issues concerning women and the lack of equality.

that said, in this certain issue, i completely agree with your viewpoint and every human should do
shotta-gunna

As someone of Afro-Caribbean background with the legacy of 500 years of this type of “ism” you have my full support. Being an Arsenal blogger makes me even prouder of you.

Happy

Agreed! I deal with this bullshit everyday.

http://twitter.com/rtgooner Rachel Willcox

Absolutely spot on. I get sick and tired of people thinking I dont know what I am talking about coz I am female. I have been an Arsenal fan for as long as I can remember and for some jumped up, loud mouth, irratating TV presenter (who lives in the dark ages) to tell me different is a disgrace. I would like to see him compete with us in a football quiz when his shite of a sidekick aint with him, he’d fail miserably.

I know my football and I dare anyone to tell me otherwise!!
http://twitter.com/rtgooner Rachel Willcox

Absolutely spot on. I get sick and tired of people thinking I dont know what I am talking about coz I am female. I have been an Arsenal fan for as long as I can remember and for some jumped up, loud mouth, irratating TV presenter (who lives in the dark ages) to tell me different is a disgrace. I would like to see him compete with us in a football quiz when his shite of a sidekick aint with him, he’d fail miserably.

I know my football and I dare anyone to tell me otherwise!!
Mark

Hi, excellent article. I’m a man and have posted a few times on my site about the problems with sexism and homophobia in football only to get ridiculed. Just really want to make it clear I’m not one of them! Thanks.
Ben

It shows you the intellect of Richard Keys and Andy Gray,they question a female’s understanding of football,while on sky sports news and football first they have loads of female presenters.I would like Gray and Keys go to the sky heirarchy and ask for Claire Tomlinson and co to be removed because as they are female they have no sports knowledge.What a pair of Idiots !
Anonymous

AG and RK could well be out of a job ! I think they will sweep it under the carpet, don’t know how though. I reckon they might have to make an on air apology. It will certainly liven up the Blackburn v WBA game ! They got rid of Frank McClintock and Rodney Marsh from Soccer Saturday. Frank I think mentioned the “N” word and Rodney I think did a joke about a tsunami so if they reckon sexism is up there with racism and joking about the death of 100′s of people they might be gone.

I just wanted to clarify something with you, yesterday when I said she might be nervous it was because it was her second premiership game and it was being televised live and as someone else mentioned it is a male dominated sport I wasn’t saying she wasn’t up to the job ! Male or Female they will get decisions wrong. Not sure if I’ve made myself clear or not but no offence was intended.

http://twitter.com/RP271 Ravi Patel

what did mclintock say, I’m not sure :S

Anonymous

You’ll have to google it Ravi, put in “Frank McClintock sacked from Sky” that will do the trick !

http://twitter.com/binhaf Deborah Ferreira

Brilliant post. Unfortunately, I’ve been having to fight against this horrible behaviour my entire life, even inside my own family. I’ve always loved football – and oh surprise, I do understand the offside rule! I must be some kind of alien! – and my brothers teased me for so long, also with stupid comments as ‘you will never get a boyfriend spending so much time watching football, why don’t you go make us some snacks?’ Also my father, because he supports my team’s rival here in Brazil, would always try to end an argument with ‘you’re a girl, you just don’t understand how the game works’. It came to a point that I refused to talk to them until I got some respect back, so it’s been going well for a few years, I believe that they got my point about how hateful it all was.

It’s disgraceful that sexism is acceptable and at some point even estimulated in football. A game that helped bring the world closer and in a way separates, that just doesn’t work. It’s sad that usually we just get the ‘yeah that’s wrong, but what can we do aye’ line and that’s it. I’m really glad that you wrote this,and I hope it’ll get people to re-think their attitude and also get involved more. It’s the little steps that will take us to another level, of respect and understanding.
Blatant

Good Blog. Think Sian Massey needs a mention for being TOTALLY out there on her own taking this crap… would it be sexist of me to say she had balls to be out there? Yeh, but it’s meant with full respect of her courage.

Anonymous

You can mention her, not a problem, but I’m not sure you can say she’s out there on her own taking the crap – I’ve been doing this for a few years now as have a number of other female bloggers.

I love Sian, she rights a brilliant blog and her twitter is great fun…just so we’re clear.

Fred

stop ur bitcn little lady an go make your husbands dinner!!!
Anonymous

Oh goodie! Trolls…and not even the clever ones, I do feel special

Sahil

Yeah reading the post below… “husband”!! Seriously! I mean anyone who knows even a wee bit would know

Good post though. I am on your side so not much to say.

Sahil

knows *you even a wee bit

Joe

couldn’t agree more with you.
Reelyee

Sorry but you are over reacting, sexism happens both ways all the time and you really will have accept that and move on

Having three sisters I have heard the comments “let’s watch the football to check out the legs ” about a million times, I ask you would that be appropriate for men to say about female sport ? No of course not, but it doesn’t prevent it from happening nor does it make it right

Simple fact that groups of people often venture into areas that even themselves would be embarrassed to hear if replayed back to them.

Women are no different than men, black are no different than white, we are all idiots sometimes
Topcat1979

Your right on the money with that, I was in the twelve pins before the game yesterday when that line call happened, and to be fair all the fellas round me took the piss of this one bloke who groaned before the replay was shown when he saw it was a female lino. So I do think that that sort of opinion is now in the minority.
I just think this shows what we already know really, the likes of Andy Gray and Richard Keys are a couple of old school knob heads,who have no understanding on how the world has moved on,as they have had their heads stuck up each others arses since 1992
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http://twitter.com/DanielClancy Daniel Clancy

Got to say, there is no place for this in today’s game or in anywhere else, for that matter. Shame it needs a blog to highlight it really. But…

The problem is that women’s plight in football is not helped by the “good legs” brigade, which is about 95% of the female population who have no interest in the sport. It is those kind of women who prevail mainly in the public eye. Aided by the likes of Loose Women and Take Me Out, the media has a habit of taking a men vs. women approach to things, apart from it’s usually women ganging up on men… which, of course, is OK (see your penis comment).

Sky are bad though, a flick on SSN reveals they only hire attractive blonde presenters…

I also think that to compare it to racism or homophobia is a touch outrageous as women aren’t the minority and in fact get away with sexism as it’s “just a bit of a laugh”. It is unacceptable ignorance, yes, but not on the same level as those two.

There is no doubt that women can have equal passion for football (or anything) as men, along with knowledge. I think making those points is a waste of time for anyone and unnecessary in 2011. I think we all have to accept that as a species, we will always carry these faults on some level.

Anonymous

As a gay female I feel more than qualified to equate homophobia with sexism. Are you?

Jimmythefish

If you’re sticking to football then you’re fine to equate homophobia with football. Sexism in football is however nothing like homophobia in the real world and it is, as Daniel said a touch outrageous to compare the two. Some of the stuff gay people through must be incredibly tough. If someone said to them, “Yes I know what your going through because the other day I was at this football match, and no-one fully respected my view because it’s a male dominated sport. Although most people agree that it’s getting better come down fully on the side of females in the sport”

Not really the same is it.

Anonymous

What part of ‘I’m a gay female’ meant you thought you had to explain to me how tough gay people have it? It was more that ‘just a comment at a football match’ as you put it, it was questioning the ability of a professional to do their job simply because of their gender. What can she know, she’s a woman/gay/black.asian etc – which is worse or are they all the same?

The example you’ve given is not what the discussion was about.

http://twitter.com/DanielClancy Daniel Clancy

ps. Richard Keys and Andy Gray are merely a couple of dickheads, it’s not worth going to deep into their mindsets. Us men don’t all think like that.
looneygooner

simple it’s a man’s game always has and always will be, I don’t like listening to female commentators because it sounds awful, some sports are meant to be left alone and football is one of them
Anonymous

I think one of the reasons you have comments like that is because its a rare thing at that level. If women officiated high level men games more often I don’t think you’d have the same reaction. Unfortunately I think sexism will always be there in sports, but that doesn’t excuse Keys and Gray.
I could only imagine if someone tried to tell my mother she didn’t know the offside rule seeing as how she was the head instructor for training referees in our region. Plus she’s the one that got me hooked on the sport.

BTW thanks LA for the links for the streams for the game. And it was fun following you on twitter during the game.
Mel

Well Done LadyArse!!!!

As a female Gooner myself I completely agree…I get it alot. But I’ve got a great group of friends who aren’t complete sexist idiots like the MAJORITY of male football fans out there.
James

Have to say as a bloke I was shocked last night on MOTD when after making a big call they mentioned it was only her second game. Had a man been the running the line they wouldn’t have even mentioned it if it was 1st, 2nd or or 300th game, Appalling. Didn’t see Skys, Keys and Grays comments and I am glad i didn’t. I apologise that in this day and age women still have to put up with that shit.
Weedonald

As a great supporter of ladies Football and a co-founder of women’s football in my home country,I understand and have experienced the sexism and ignorance displayed ,not only by those two neanderthals(no disrespect to Neanderthals intended) but also recognize that the supposed leaders in Football, Blatter and his cronies! Didn’t Blatter once say that women’s football should require the participants to wear ¨tight¨shorts so more men would want to watch?
However this is simply an outgrowth of the sexism rampant in every aspect of life that has been cursing humanity since history began to be recorded and likely well before.
We will be able, in terms of Football, to say everyone is treated equally, when there is no reference to or issue with age,gender,race,religion or whatever and that all participants can enjoy total freedom and opportunity in the Beautiful Game.
Weedonald

By the way LA, there are more women in this world than men (I believe the latest stats have it 50.3% female) however in every area save education and food services, women are underrepresented. The FA is a perfect example as is the management of professional Football clubs and officiating. How many women FIFA referees are there officiating the CL, the European cup, the FA cup, etc.,etc? In my time as a national referee, I never ever saw a woman official above the local level, despite having some very skilled ladies handling both men and women’s Football senior games.
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Nn

is it only women who find your artwork sexist ?
i’m not saying that the premise of your argument is wrong, it isn’t, just that i feel you maybe guilty of slipping into lazy generalisations too

Anonymous

What has my artwork got to do with anything? For your information, my artwork has been widely received by people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and races.

It is erotic female art by a female for females – i.e. it is not designed solely to titilate and amuse men. There is a massive difference in this. Learn it.

Nn

Learn it ????
i don’t doubt what you say about your artwork, but my point was about your generalisations.

Andrew

I admit a slight prejudice when seeing a female official at a football match, but maybe thats because it’s such a rare occurence at the moment. I used to play at a reasonable standard and we had a linesman with only 1 arm. This of course had no effect on his ability to wave his flag, in the same way that being female has no effect on how well they can do the job, but because at first it was something that was new to me, I had my doubts when I thought they got the decision wrong! The more female officials we get in the game, the more we’ll get used to it and stop thinking stupid thoughts…

In my opinion, in some sports sexism now leans the other way… If men play for longer, attract a larger audience and generate more revenue at Wimbledon, why should the prize fund for males and females now be the same? Works out at females getting a high percentage more per hour of tennis played than men… A somewhat dubious example perhaps, I’m all for equality so long as things are actually equal

Anonymous

I totally get what you’re saying about the tennis but what you have to ask yourself is, is the reason that the mens game generates larger crowds and revenue because it has been taken seriously for longer and has more emphasis been put on the mens game. I do agree that the women should play the same number of games etc though.

ArsenalAndrew

I heard the broadcast live and as a lifelong wearer of hearing aids I had more reason than most to not believe my ears. It wasn’t until reading your post, LA, that I realised I hadn’t been aurally hallucinating – THEY ACTUALLY SAID ALL THAT!

I don’t think there is anything much I can add to the points you rightly make; you would think there’d be no need to reiterate why this kind of language – and the attitudes it represents – is so disappointing to hear. Yet yesterday’s broadcast shows otherwise.

I’ve never understood how the likes of Richard Keys has somehow carved out a career for himself as he has done with Sky (a mystery on a par with the grotesque rehabilitation of TALKShite’s partner-beating broadcaster Stanley Collymore). I’m pretty certain Key’s is paid to remain permanently ignorant about football so that Andy Gray can appear so wise. By that logic I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that his ignorance extends beyond football. But I AM surprised and disappointed with Mr Gray who I credit with considerably more intelligence than his dopey side kick.

As I say, there’s little I can add to the points you make. It would be interesting to know exactly what BSkyB make of all this – in effect two senior members of their staff have caused real and lasting offence to a significant segment of their subscriber base. And, just so you know, it’s not just women who will be appalled by this but many men who watch the games with their wives, girlfriends, daughters or even just on their own but who are friends with passionate and knowledgeable football fans of both sexes. I for one have spent years trying to get female friends not already into the game interested – but why should I bother if they are going to be exposed to this old crap.

And if you really wanted to make the point and cause a stir you could set up a Facebook group to threaten BSkyB with a campaign of cancelled subscriptions from May through to August by way of protest. You might just get more than an apology out of them, you never know.

By the way, if you or anyone else has a week spare to explain the offside rule do let me know; I STILL don’t get it! Was it Brian Clough or Bill Shankly who said words to the effect that if someone is on the field and NOT interfering with play they shouldn’t be out there? A load more of FIFA nonsense I’m afraid; but again, what do you expect from the organisation promoting tight-fitting sports gear for the ‘ladies’? No doubt the sniggering Key’s and Gray would happily make the ‘fashion’ case and the Stepford Wives (aka the Sky Sports News blonde army of presenters) would get to repeat it all.

Well done for writing the original post; to paraphrase –

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.”
Family Enclosure Man

Best Arsenal blog. Brilliant. Thanks – keep it going.
Tommusso

Just a couple of points;

If you want total equality, do you think women should play with men professionally?

Also, the women who are knowledgable in football are in the minority, similar to guys who dance. So these minorities get stigma “all girls know nothing about sport” “all guys who dance are gay” not right but it understandable. Simply because genders are NOT equal they must have equal rights but the way evolution has worked means male/female are very different. Equal in some measures but polar opposites in others. My point? Well basically that difference is an individuality only taken to extremes by the minority. The general sexism will exist. Because let’s face it, as a bloke who loves football I’m probably messy, can’t cook and insensitive….right?
http://twitter.com/#!/Indie_Mike Michael, London

Perhaps someone should explain the offside rule to Richard Keys and Andy Gray, seeing as the Lineswoman was right and they were wrong.
http://twitter.com/LooseCannon01 Zain Cannon

I agree with most of what you’ve said, you’ve started an interesting debate… Something that should be talked about.

There should be no room for sexism anywhere and that includes football.

However, I dont like the sweeping generalisation that its all men that think there’s no sexism in football. But I’m not mad about that at all.

Its acceptable in modern society for women to generalise men and pretty much say anything. If I could get a penny for every time I heard comments like ‘all men are useless’…’Good for nothing’…’Dogs’ etc…I’d be a millionaire.

Its not true, of course, and generalisations definitely goes both ways. Men, too, like to group women together and make ridiculous claims that are based on BS.

I know you are tired of ‘sexism works both ways’ argument but it’s still relevant, even though its mainly men that repressed women. There should be zero tolerance regarding the issue – only way it’ll be eradicated. That’s true for men and women.

I’ve realised a long time ago that when people come together in groups, in relaxed environment with other members of the same sex, they do or say outrageous things. This applies to both men and women. Thats why I dont get mad at all of what people say privately, on twitter or anywhere else… Words are cheap, action is much more important.

Now yesterday I’ve watched an outstanding young lady do a sound job as a lineswoman. I think she’s only 25 years old, which is very impressive. Lets focus on that a bit more and less on idiots from SSN.

And yes, it was not offside, the cameras clearly showed that! lol.

As for Andy Gray and Richard Keyes, well, I dont rate them much as human beings, to be honest… They are not worth the effort.
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http://twitter.com/DanielClancy Daniel Clancy

“As a gay female I feel more than qualified to equate homophobia with sexism. Are you?”

Don’t mean to turn this into a wider debate, but it is rather ironic that you assume because I am straight and a man that I can’t hold my opinion on the matter. Isn’t the point of being perplexed and angry by homophobia, sexism and racism that we are all the same and equal? I am white but racism against any other person still offends me massively.

Your comment sort devalues your point and perhaps is even quite similar to Andy Gray and Richard Keys.

Anonymous

You said that to compare sexism with homophobia was outrageous, I merely pointed out that I have experienced both and can say that it is not an outrageous comparrisson. You can agree that things are wrong, it is another thing entirely to experience them. Until you have experienced homophobia or sexism can you dismiss one as being more of a problem than the other?

That doesn’t mean you can’t have an opinion about it, that’s not what I’m saying, but having an opinion on a subject and ‘grading’ them are two very different things.

I can imagine what it’s like to starve or be dying of thirst, can sympathise, and see the inherrant problems, but I wouldn’t tell someone who has experienced both which I consider to be ‘worse.’ or that their comparrison was outrageous

http://twitter.com/DanielClancy Daniel Clancy

OK, perhaps outrageous was a strong word, even “a touch outrageous”, it’s just that I think sexism is far more of a cultural and inherent problem in England than racism or homophobia. In some cultures, homophobia is similar, as is racism, but sexism is always far more down to misguided masculinity from a male perspective and not hatred or disgust. You can’t be casually homophobic or a bit racist – but sexism can and does happen on many levels, including this AG and RK situation. That may well be the point I was trying to make. I’m sure they respect woman in general but they let their balls do the talking this time.

When I was younger, a friend of mine was kicked out of his own home by parents when he was 16 because he was gay — although this wasn’t me, it affected me greatly. Cases of homophobia can be extreme.

I am totally on your side with the sexism debate, but you’re wasting your breath stating that a woman can know the offside rule because any sane person knows this to be true. But it certainly would be a great deal more appalling if they said the decision was bad because the linesman was Asian or if she was a lesbian.

Iain Martin

Of course you can be casually homophobic or racist. The fact that you also get extreme cases does not change this. What is more common? The sort of thing that happened to your friend? Or people thinking it’s acceptable to call their friend gay because they use moisturiser or something? Casual homophobia along those lines is at least as prevalent as casual sexism.

What if the linesman was a gay man, and the comments were along the lines of “What do poofs know about football?” Would you be as happy then to put it down to “misguided masculinity”? After all, that is where most casual homophobia stems from. This doesn’t make it acceptable though, just as it doesn’t make sexism acceptable.

AG and RK’s comments are just as appalling as racism or homophobia, and it’s a real shame Sky haven’t acted accordingly.
Iain Martin

Of course you can be casually homophobic or racist. The fact that you also get extreme cases does not change this. What is more common? The sort of thing that happened to your friend? Or people thinking it’s acceptable to call their friend gay because they use moisturiser or something? Casual homophobia along those lines is at least as prevalent as casual sexism.

What if the linesman was a gay man, and the comments were along the lines of “What do poofs know about football?” Would you be as happy then to put it down to “misguided masculinity”? After all, that is where most casual homophobia stems from. This doesn’t make it acceptable though, just as it doesn’t make sexism acceptable.

AG and RK’s comments are just as appalling as racism or homophobia, and it’s a real shame Sky haven’t acted accordingly.

Bobby Fleckman

What’s wrong with being sexy??

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zaragooner

Great stuff Ladyarse..as always..i just hope the lines women did not sent her resignation letter after heard those stupid comments from that Andy Gray and Richard Keyes.. The issue here is simple, will they give that comments if the lineswomen is Linesmen. Will they? i believe NO. Football is no longer recognized as Sports Man. We do play football and we know the Football rule and to give such silly remarks/comment, they just downgraded themselves as a Football Journo. Actually I’m sick with this Men self declaration. Is it a sin if women loves football?
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Must Try Harder

Your entirely correct and justified argument was ruined by a (frankly piss-poor) joke about penis size.

If you are going to invalidate yourself by acting like a child at least write a funny penis joke, instead of being as fucking tedious and predictable as the sexist idiots on Sky Sports.
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http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Pacholek/100000179601279 Michael Pacholek

I’ve seen plenty of male officials who don’t seem to know, or care, what the offside rule is. Inevitably, their calls seem to go against Arsenal, or in favor of Manchester United, or both.

I guess football officiating is like anything else: Let the women in, they can’t bollix it up any worse than we have.
Talia

Keys and Gray are a pair of small-MINDED misogynists who doubtless think they’ve been unjustly treated. Unfortunately for them they’ve been shown to be in a minority.

I wonder if either of them would still have a job if Elizabeth Murdoch ran BSkyB.
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Ally

Over reaction much? http://www.themightygooners.co.uk/2011/01/24/the-sexism-debate-keys-gray-the-final-word/
http://twitter.com/AFCChris AFCChris

Here’s my take on the Keys/Gray thing.

Just to say from the outset, I’m not a fan of either of these guys. I agree with all the things people say about their smugness, arrogance and the feeling that they are so comfortable that they think they can’t be touched. I also completely agree that what they have done is wrong, as you just can’t do that on TV in today’s modern world.

Having said that I am amazed at the fuss this has caused. It’s sad that in today’s world this can be deemed as such a newsworthy story, and I’m astounded that so many people have spent so much time talking about it, when there is proper news to be discussed. The key thing I can say to sum this situation up is that when Keys called Sian Massey to apologise I would imagine she literally said “it’s fine…no problem, don’t worry about it”. Now I know people use the word fine about something when they think the complete opposite but I genuinely think that Sian Massey would be wondering why’s it’s all blown up like this. We’ve probably all been in situations where we think we’ve upset someone, and then you find that the person is actually 100% OK about it. Keys mentioned that he had some banter with her on the phone, and I imagine this consisted of her completely making light of the situation to show that she’s actually OK about it all.

Today’s world is too politically correct and I hate that so much. Also, the world is full of hypocrites who really should shut their mouth when things like this kick off. Good example is the idiot that is Rio Ferdinand. Who is he to judge Keys/Gray? OK Rio, I guess this sort of talk never happens in the dressing room at Man Utd…?

Does anyone believe that Sky didn’t know about the previous bits of footage? Honestly, the way that it all suddenly comes to light is like when some star is found having an affair and all these other people come out of the woodwork and say they have done the same thing with the same person. Why haven’t those people brought it up before? Honestly, it’s just a load of people jumping on the bandwagon.

I heard the interview on Talksport, and although I think it wasn’t the best decision to go on there, I actually think he was speaking honestly. He referred to every single part of this matter and responded to it. Apart from a few gaffes when he really couldn’t articulate what he meant, I think he came across well. I will probably get flamed for that, but listen again and take your Keys hating hat off before making judgement.

I am glad that this situation has ended up with them both going, as I think their double act is a tired part of Sky’s football presentation and to be honest this is a good excuse to get rid of them, when it might not have happened otherwise. I still think Sky are the best in the business with their ground breaking coverage of football really giving the sport to fans the way they want it, so hope the replacements for Keys/Gray are worthy ones.