by Andy Gray

Maidstone's former premier league referee Paul Alcock has called Sky Sports’ Andy Gray and Richard Keys “lemons” for their comments about female officials.

The pair have been suspended following off-mic comments in which they mocked the appointment of Sian Massey for Saturday’s live game between Wolves and Liverpool.

Both have been stood down for tonight’s Sky screening of Bolton V Chelsea.

Mr Alcock, a premier league ref for five years said: “They’ve not judged her what she can do, they’ve judged her on what she is and that’s sexist.

“Sian’s been through the same strict refereeing procedure as the men.

“She’s been assessed regularly and ability has got her to the top of the list - nobody has done her any favours because she’s a woman.”

In a recording of a discussion before the game which was not meant for broadcast, Keys, referring to lineswoman Sian, said: “someone needs to go down there and explain the offside rule to her.“

Gray agreed, before Keys launched an attack on West Ham director Karen Brady who had written a newspaper article declaring football to be sexist.

Keys said: “See the charming Karen Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour, love.”

Mr Alcock, retired in 2002, but remains a football league assessor, judging the performance of referees in the Championship and lower leagues.

He said the presenters, who have since apologised, “stepped over the line.”

“They’ve got away with so much over the years, the way they’ve criticised referees and led the public to believe they’ve got something wrong,” he said.

Pointing to a contentious offside decision called correctly by Sian which led to Liverpool’s first goal in Saturday’s game, Mr Alcock added: “I bet she’s smiling to herself today, thinking, 'I got my job right and they’re the ones looking a right pair of lemons.”

Keys and Gray have been ever-present members of Sky’s TV team since 1992, when the channel won the right to screen live matches from the newly-formed Premier League.

Mr Alcock said he didn’t think the pair should be sacked.

“The fact is, I bet most of those watching Saturday’s game wouldn’t have noticed Sian was a woman until they saw her ponytail.”

Of the 1,400 referees registered with the Kent County Football Association, 28 are women.

John Newson, the KCFA’s referee development officer, said football belongs to both sexes.

He said: “Women who come to us to be referees know what the score is.

“Most of them watched their own kids from the sidelines, so they know it’s hard and not a case of, 'pass the ball here please,’ from the players.

He added: “Those presenters are adults, but their comments sounded like something from the playground.”

Are you a female referee in Maidstone? If so, please contact our news team on 01622 695666.

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