Sky presenter Andy Gray is fired

Andy Gray fired as sexism row grows

Sky Sports football pundit Andy Gray has been sacked

Soccer pundit Andy Gray has been fired as the football sexism row deepens.

The Sky Sports presenter, already in trouble over sexist remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey, was sacked “in response to new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour” following an “off-air incident that took place in December 2010”, said the broadcaster.

Lawyers Schillings later said they had been instructed by Gray over the termination of his contract.

The firm said in a statement: “We have been instructed by Andy Gray in relation to the termination of his contract by BSkyB. Whilst there have been a number of media enquiries made in relation to this matter, it would be inappropriate for our client to comment at this time.”

Earlier, reporter Andy Burton joined Gray – a former Scotland international – and fellow Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys in being disciplined for comments about Massey.

Burton was stood down from coverage of Wednesday night’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg match between Birmingham City and West Ham United after footage emerged of him referring to Massey as a “bit of a looker”.

Keys and Gray were dropped from Monday night’s line-up for the match between Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea after their off-air remarks were leaked.

The pair were heard agreeing that female officials “don’t know the offside rule” and predicted Massey would make mistakes during Wolves’ home game against Liverpool on Saturday. She ended up correctly calling a crucial borderline decision.

New footage has now been shown on Sky News of Gray asking a female colleague to help him tuck his microphone into his trousers. Former Wolves, Everton and Aston Villa striker Gray, who reportedly earns more than £1 million a year, is shown saying to colleague Charlotte Jackson: “Charlotte, can you tuck this down here for me?” She ignores the remark.

Sky Sports said in a statement that it had terminated its contract with Gray. The statement said: “The decision, which is effective immediately, was made in response to new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour. The new evidence, relating to an off-air incident that took place in December 2010, came to light after Andy Gray had already been subjected to disciplinary action for his comments on 22 January 2011.”