Richard Keys has resigned from Sky Sports.
Keys, who joined Sky in 1990, is stepping down following sexist comments he made about assistant referee, Sian Massey and West Ham’s vice-chairman, Karen Brady.
Keys said earlier today on TalkSport radio that “There are some dark forces at work here. I apologised on the Sunday. I realised how deeply wrong we were. Having done that I asked could we make people aware of the fact we had a conversation and that both parties felt it was right to move on’. I was told ‘no’.
“Then 24 hours had passed, by which time the world had gone mad. I don’t know why I was told ‘no’ and stopped from telling people what I had done.
“What we said was wrong. There is no place for it in a modern workplace.”
He then went on to say: “I tried to ring Karren twice on Sunday night. I tried to ring her to apologise and she didn’t take my call.”
Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: “It is disappointing that Richard’s career at Sky should end in these circumstances. However, Richard recognises that his comments at the weekend were unacceptable and we note that he has made a full and public apology. We thank him for his time in helping make Sky Sports the success it is today.”
Speaking about his resignation, Richard Keys said: “I am deeply sorry for my remarks and the offence they have caused; it was wrong and should not have happened. I have thought long and hard and reached the decision that it is time to move on.
“Going forward without Andy would have been almost impossible. I am and will remain proud of our work with football at Sky Sports and grateful to the many people who have worked with me. I wish Sky Sports continued success in the future.”
Keys and his former colleague Andy Gray leave Sky Sports as the channel approaches its 20th year on air.