Richard Keys and Andy Gray apologise for comments
Richard Keys and Andy Gray have today publicly apologised for the sexism row that has engulfed Sky Sports.
In a detailed interview with TalkSPORT this lunch time, Keys repeatedly apologised for his leaked comments about assistant referee Sian Massey and West Ham deputy-chairman Karren Brady.
"What we said was wrong. There is no place for it in a modern workplace," Keys said.
He described the media reaction to his off-guard remarks as a "firestorm" and said "dark forces" had escalated the row. When asked if he was considering resigning, he said "of course I have to [consider resigning]".
Keys said he had called Massey to say sorry on Sunday: "I rang on behalf of Andy and myself and made it an official apology, which she accepted. We enjoyed some banter together and left on good terms. She was in good spirits and I expressed my disappointment that Andy and I were misguidedly having fun, and had got it wrong."
Keys said he also phoned Brady to apologise, but she did not take his calls.
Gray, who was sacked by Sky yesterday, released a statement this afternoon. He said: "I am very sorry that certain comments made by me have caused offence. Such comments were made off-air to work colleagues, and were of course never intended to be broadcast.
"I was very upset when the comments were brought to my attention, and it was my intention to apologise on Monday night when I was back on air for the Bolton v Chelsea game.
"Sadly I was unable to do so as I was suspended from the show by Sky Sports and have now been sacked. Football is my life and I am devastated by losing the job that I love.
"I am equally upset that third parties have been dragged into this issue. I ask that the media respect their privacy so that they can continue in their roles. I have worked for Sky Sports loyally for over 20 years and I do not wish to comment further at this time."