Andy Gray and Richard Keys in line for al-Jazeera job

Tom Harper12 April 2012

Former Sky Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray are set to join Arab TV network al-Jazeera.

The pair, who left Sky this week after tapes of their sexist comments were leaked on the internet, are wanted by the Middle East broadcaster, which is seeking to expand its football coverage.

Keys, 53, is due for talks today at the company's headquarters in Doha, Qatar, and is understood to be negotiating on behalf of former Everton striker Gray.

A source close to the pair said: "Richard is out there at the moment. It is fair to say there is interest on al-Jazeera's part. It's not beyond the realms of possibility - they both have friends in Doha."

They would have to spend significant periods in the Qatari capital but could also broadcast from the network's London base.

Launched in 2006, al-Jazeera English is the sister channel of Arabic news station al-Jazeera. It is owned by the Qatari royal family and run by Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, cousin of the emir of Qatar. It broadcasts to more than 130 million households in over 100 countries.

It already uses English presenters, including Gary Lineker, but is keen to boost its profile following a deal to broadcast three World Cups in the Middle East and Africa. The oil-rich nation - the size of Glasgow - is hosting the 2022 tournament.

Keys and Gray were forced to leave Sky Sports after they were caught making offensive remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey. Today it emerged the 25-year-old has withdrawn from a second match. She will not run the line at Corby Town v Eastwood Town tomorrow, having been stood down from Crewe Alexandra v Bradford City on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Professional Game Match Officials, which represents referees, said: "It was a joint decision [with Massey]. The attention should be on the match, not the official." He added that it was not known when she would return to football.

Yesterday Keys's wife Julia defended her husband, saying: "I think Sky have been significantly offside in the way they handled it."

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