Soccer:Andy Gray has apologised for his part in the Sky Sports sexism row today and said he was "devastated by losing the job that I love." Gray was fired yesterday after 20 years working for the satellite broadcaster.

The pundit was dropped after he and presenter Richard Keys made sexist remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey before the Premier League game between Wolves and Liverpool at the weekend.

But Sky Sports fired former centre-forward Gray after new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour emerged.

A statement released by Gray read: “I am very sorry that certain comments made by me have caused offence. Such comments were made off-air to work colleagues, and were, of course, never intended to be broadcast.”

“I am equally upset that third parties have been dragged into this issue. I ask that the media respect their privacy so that they can continue in their roles. I have worked for Sky Sports loyally for over 20 years and I do not wish to comment further at this time.”