Richard Keys has drawn comparisons between Sky Sports’ treatment of him and their handling of Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender who is still employed by the network.
By implying that Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, committed a more serious crime than the one that led to his firing from Sky Sports, Richard Keys has run the risk of rekindling their intense rivalry.
Along with former Everton forward and pundit Andy Grey, the presenter left the broadcaster in 2011 after disparaging remarks made off-air against female assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis were made public. It was discovered that there were several more sexist comments.
Since then, the two have secured jobs with BeIN Sports, and they haven’t hesitated to criticise their previous employers. This time, Keys questioned Carragher’s ability to stay on staff at Sky Sports.
When Carragher was harassed as he drove away from Old Trafford in 2018, he was caught on camera spitting at a football fan and his 14-year-old daughter. The 67-year-old voiced some displeasure at the disparity in how his issue was handled.Peaking on The Obi One Podcast, Keys stated: “It’s amazing if you can continue to work and spit on adolescents. That was, in my opinion, a far more serious offence, but I’m not here to judge!
“I was pleased he didn’t [get sacked] as it gave me the opportunity to say to you guys, when you consider what happened to us, for the ‘crimes’ we were accused of (and accept) and what he did on film… there’s no comparison.”
Carragher was suspended for his behaviour after the event, but he was back to work five months later. The former Liverpool defender apologised on television shortly after the incident.I would argue that there is no question about how horrible what I did was. I’m sorry about that. He said at the time, “I would have demonised that player for the next several days if they had done it in that game.
“After 25 years in the spotlight, my goal is that my life won’t be taken over by five seconds of insanity. I hope to portray the true myself in the future; I don’t think that portrays who I am. I’ve erred before, but this is a serious one.”
The transcript of a discussion Keys and Grey had before Wolves and Liverpool’s Premier League match was the first thing that exposed Keys and Gray’s actions.Keys was heard saying, “Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her.”
Grey said, “Is that really true? a lineswoman who is female. That’s precisely why I said that ladies are unaware of the offside rule.
“Of course they don’t,” Keys said. The game has become crazy.
Carragher and Keys have already had arguments. In 2022, the former Sky Sports host called Carragher a “borderline racist.” However, the veteran defender responded by calling Keys a “sad, desperate man.”
