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Andy Gray 'open the gates' comment slammed by Hillsborough group as fans furious

There's been calls for Andy Gray to be sacked by beIN Sports after he suggested the turnstiles be opened at the Emirates when Arsenal fans were stuck outside

Richard Keys and Andy Gray
Bein Sports co-host Andy Gray shocked viewers and Richard Keys with his comments(Image: beIN Sports)

Andy Gray has come in for heavy criticism after he suggested "open the gates" to resolve Arsenal's ticketing problem.


The early kick-off in the Premier League, which saw the Gunners host Nottingham Forest, had to be delayed by 30 minutes after thousands of fans couldn't get through the turnstiles at the Emirates.


A new e-ticket system brought in for the new season was the root of the problem, as Richard Keys explained to beIN Sports viewers before adding: "What Arsenal have rightly, or I suppose the police have rightly done, is to say look, there could be an issue here."


His long-time colleague Gray then interrupted him and said: "Open the gates." Keys was clearly shocked at the suggestion as he exclaimed: "Eh?"

READ MORE: Premier League TV blackout rules broken after Arsenal game delayed by 30 minutes

"Let them in," echoed Gray, with Keys replying: "Well you can’t just open the gates." But Gray insisted: "Yes you can."

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Keys hit back: "That would be even worse." Before Gray argued: "No, no. It wouldn’t be." Keys added: "Can I remind you what happened at Hillsborough?"

"You just let them through as you would do normally. All those people there have got tickets right," continued Gray, who was quickly called out for his comments on social media.

Arsenal fans outside the Emirates
Gray suggested "open the gates" as Arsenal fans were stuck outside(Image: beIN Sports)

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The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance tweeted: "What a ridiculous and thoughtless comment. How has he even still got a job?"

Labour MP Ian Byrne, who chairs Hillsborough Law Now and was in attendance for the 1989 disaster which led to the death of 97 Liverpool supporters, posted: "Commentary which chills the soul. What was Andy Gray thinking?"

Former Sky Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray pose in 2012
Gray and Keys departed Sky Sports in 2011 following derogatory comments they made about Sian Massey(Image: Getty Images)
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One viewer wrote: "Andy Gray demonstrating perfectly why what happened at Hillsborough needs to be taught widely! 'Open the gates' Jesus effing Christ!"

While another added: "How stupid do you have to be to say 'open the gates'? Beyond me how Andy Gray still has a job in football."

Gray and Keys have been working for beIN Sports since the former was sacked and the latter resigned from Sky Sports in 2011 after they were caught making derogatory comments about female official Sian Massey.

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