Former disgraced Sky Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray are set to leave beIN Sports in May, meaning they won’t host the Qatar-based network’s World Cup coverage
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are poised to depart beIN Sports following 13 years with the broadcaster when the current season ends.
The veteran team are anticipated to make their exit in May and won’t be handling the Qatar-based network’s World Cup coverage this summer. Keys, 68, and Gray, 70, were the flagship presenters of Sky Sports’ football programming for nearly two decades before departing in 2011 after Gray was dismissed for sexist comments about assistant referee Sian Massey. Outspoken presenter Keys then stepped down once recordings of his sexist remarks surfaced publicly.
The disgraced duo relocated to the Middle East and have spearheaded beIN’s Premier League coverage since 2013. However, the Athletic reports that both will be severing ties with the channel in the months ahead. Sources suggest Keys and Gray’s contracts are set to run out at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign, with neither party anticipated to negotiate fresh agreements.
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The publication indicates there hasn’t been any dispute and their departure from beIN will be on friendly terms. The reasoning behind their exits is reportedly complex, factoring in both Keys and Gray’s advancing years and the evolving landscape of sports commentary.
Broadcasting companies are scrambling to align with emerging trends spearheaded by social media personalities, YouTubers and supporter platforms, reducing the significance of conventional pre and post-match programming.
beIN Sports failed to respond when contacted for comment by the Daily Star’s sister title the Daily Mirror. During their stint in Qatar, Keys and Gray have welcomed guests including Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, and frequently collaborate with Nigel de Jong and Jason McAteer.
However, their professional legacies remain tainted by the January 2011 controversy. Keys was caught on tape saying: “Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her (Massey).Gray replied: “Yeah, I know. Can you believe that? Female linesman. Forget what I said – they probably don’t know the offside rule.”
Keys then said: “Course they don’t,” to which Gray responded: “Why is there a female linesman? Somebody’s f***** up big.”
In the years following the scandal, Gray has disclosed he contemplated suicide due to the public outcry. Meanwhile, Keys maintains that ‘dark forces’ were orchestrated against them and claims they were ‘set up’.
“The incident, we should have seen coming,” Keys told the Athletic. “It was a set-up, of course it was. But they made capital out of it.”
Keys was in hot water again last month when sports host Laura Woods branded him a “t***” following his controversial comments after Gabby Logan’s dad, and Leeds United icon, Terry Yorath’s death.