Richard Keys Comes Out Fighting and Blames "Dark Forces" For His Woes

Filed under: Football

Richard Keys, the commentator at the heart of the Sky TV sexism row, broke his silence and blamed "dark forces" for the furore that has surrounded him and colleague Andy Gray.

Former player Gray was sacked by the broadcaster on Tuesday in the wake of leaked footage that showed him making lewd and sexist comments.

At the core of the scandal was a story, first reported by the Mail on Sunday newspaper, in which Gray and Keys made disparaging and sexist off-air remarks about female official Sian Massey and West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady before Saturday's game between Wolves and Liverpool.

Keys spoke on Talksport radio on Wednesday afternoon to issue his first public apology and to reveal that he is considering resigning in the wake of Gray's dismissal.

But he also claimed that, having apologised to Massey on Sunday, he was instructed not to reveal that apology by his employers - a move he seemingly now interprets as "dark forces" working against him and Gray.

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"We were wrong. It was wrong. It shouldn't have happened, but there are some dark forces at work here," said Keys. "From something that was controllable, I have found the reaction to be extraordinary. I cannot believe the frenzy that's blown up. If I had been able to get out the fact that I'd apologised on Sunday I don't think it would have been as frenzied as it has been.

"I made an official apology to Sian on behalf of Andy and myself. This was on Sunday afternoon - not on Monday at 5pm as was later reported. Sian and I enjoyed some banter, and we left on very good terms. I expressed my disappointment that Andy and I, in misguidedly having a little fun, got it wrong. It was wrong.

"I've been trying to find an opportunity to have my say about the firestorm that's raging out there. An awful lot of inaccurate reporting has gone on."

Keys also blamed jealousy within the media for the manner in which the story has been reported, comparing the incident with the much-publicised allegations about the News of the World tapping the phones of celebrities.

"With success comes envy," said Keys. "The clips you have seen are fairly selective. They have targeted two individuals. There is a row going on over phone tapping at the moment. What's the difference? If off-air conversations were made public then there would be no one left working in the country."

However, while sounding at times defiant, Keys also did concede that his future with Sky is out of his hands and a decision from the broadcaster could be imminent - although he also confirmed he is considering resigning.

"Of course," he said. "And I have been doing so. My mate has been sacked. The view of the majority - but what is the majority? - is he should have been. I have read a few emails (on air) today saying I should be. I have to consider all these things, of course I do.

"I take no pride at all in my part in the events that have unfolded. I was wrong, Andy was wrong. We were both wrong. Of course you consider these things although Sky will be making their own decision going forward."

 

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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/01/26/richard-keys-comes-out-fighting-and-blames-dark-forces-for-his/

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