Keys's wife brands Sky 'offside' - BBC News

27 January 2011 Last updated at 10:30 ET

The wife of Richard Keys has criticised Sky Sports, saying the way her husband was treated was "offside".

Keys resigned after an off-air recording of sexist remarks he and commentator Andy Gray made were passed to a newspaper.

The pair were heard questioning if assistant referee Sian Massey knew the offside rule.

But Julia Keys said the "wrong two guys were given the red card", adding the pair "put Sky on the map".

Keys resigned from his job fronting Sky Sports' football coverage last night after days of controversy which had also seen the sacking of his colleague Andy Gray, after further comments by him were posted on Youtube.

But speaking to a reporter outside the couple's home in Chobham, Surrey, Mrs Keys said the departures were "really sad".

"They contributed so much. Whether you like them personally or not, professionally there's very few who would knock them.

"I think Sky was offside in the way it handled it."

Boys' banter

When asked about what she thought of the comments, she added: "With men there are little bits of you that never grow up.

"It's banter from the boys. What other people do not understand is the dynamics that go on in the studio."

Keys apologised prior to his resignation saying his remarks were wrong, and he was sorry for the offence they had caused.

Barney Francis, Sky Sports managing director, said it was disappointing that Mr Keys should have ended his career at the broadcaster in these circumstances.