Sky football presenters dropped after off-air sexist remarks cause outrage

The pair caused controversy after agreeing female officials "don't know the offside rule" and predicting lineswoman Sian Massey would drop a clanger during Wolves's home game against Liverpool on Saturday.

Keys also then remarked on comments made by West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady in The Sun on Saturday about the level of sexism in football by saying: "See charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favour, love."

Massey ended up correctly calling a crucial borderline decision and the FA later issued a statement in her support, adding: "All of our female match officials act as fantastic ambassadors for the game. They have our wholehearted and continuing support."

Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said yesterday that the presenters had been disciplined and dropped from coverage of last night's Bolton versus Chelsea match.

"It has been made clear to each of them that their comments were totally unacceptable," he said. "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.

"They are inexcusable from anyone at Sky, regardless of their role or seniority. We have dealt with this matter by taking immediate disciplinary action."

He added: "As with any employee, it would not be right to go into detail on those proceedings. However, they have been clearly warned about their behaviour and reminded of their responsibilities."

Speaking out on the row, Brady, the former Birmingham City chief executive, said the comments had made her "blood boil".

She said the game "still has this sort of old-fashioned, out-of-date view of what a woman's role is within the industry and it infuriates me".

She added: "I am surprised they didn't say 'better go and get her to get the kettle on'."