In a significant development for sports broadcasting, veteran football presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray are set to conclude their long-running association with BeIN Sports. The duo will depart the Qatar-based network at the end of the current 2025-26 season, bringing their 13-year tenure to a close.
End of an Era for Middle East Football Coverage
According to reports from The Athletic, both Keys and Gray will officially bow out from their presenting roles in May. This timing means they will not be involved in BeIN Sports' coverage of the upcoming World Cup this summer, marking a notable absence from one of football's premier events.
From Sky Sports Scandal to Qatar Redemption
The pair's journey to Qatar followed their dramatic exit from Sky Sports in 2011. That departure came after Andy Gray was dismissed for making sexist remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey, with Richard Keys subsequently resigning when recordings of his own inappropriate comments became public.
Finding professional redemption in the Middle East, Keys and Gray joined BeIN Sports in 2013 and have fronted the network's Premier League coverage ever since. Throughout their time in Qatar, they have worked alongside high-profile football figures including Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Nigel de Jong, and Jason McAteer.
Contractual Conclusion Without Conflict
The Athletic's report indicates that both presenters' contracts are due to expire naturally at season's end, with neither expected to sign new agreements. Sources suggest there has been no falling-out between the broadcasters and BeIN Sports, with the separation described as amicable.
Changing Landscape of Sports Broadcasting
The motivation behind their departure appears multifaceted, taking into account both presenters' ages - Keys is 68 and Gray is 70 - and the evolving nature of sports punditry. Traditional pre and post-match shows are facing increased competition from social media influencers, YouTubers, and fan channels, forcing broadcasters to adapt to new trends and audience preferences.
Legacy Marred by Controversy
Despite their successful reinvention in Qatar, Keys and Gray's careers remain indelibly marked by the 2011 scandal. Recordings revealed Keys suggesting someone should "explain offside" to assistant referee Sian Massey, with Gray questioning why there was "a female linesman" and making derogatory comments about women's understanding of football rules.
In subsequent years, Gray has revealed the profound personal impact of the backlash, including contemplating suicide. Meanwhile, Keys maintains that "dark forces" were working against them and alleges they were deliberately "set up" in the incident.
BeIN Sports declined to comment when approached about the presenters' impending departure. As the football broadcasting world continues to evolve, the exit of these two veteran figures represents both the end of a particular era in sports presentation and another chapter in their controversial but enduring careers.
