Richard Keys has criticised official Sian Massey-Ellis after she opened up on his offensive comments towards her.

Keys famously resigned from Sky Sports following derogatory remarks about the female referee and her ability, back in January 2011.

The incident ahead of the Premier League game between Wolves and Liverpool also led to pundit Andy Gray being dismissed by the broadcaster.

Massey-Ellis has opened up on the incident and what she said to Keys and Gray in the aftermath as they left their roles with Sky.

But Keys has hit back and suggested the female official, now 31, has made a "bad move".

Assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
Richard Keys tweet (
Image:
Twitter/richardjkeys)

In an interview with the Times , Massey-Ellis said: "When Richard rang to apologise on behalf of both of them, and he said, 'I'm sorry', I just said, 'For me, I thought you would know better'.

"In their position, they should have known that just to be on that pitch I must have gone through so much. So much scrutiny, so much training, so many challenges, so much game pressure. I'm not there without being tried and tested over many years.

"I wasn't really angry. I am not really an angry person. I was just disappointed in their attitude."

Massey-Ellis is one of the leading officials in England (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
Andy Gray and Richard Keys (
Image:
David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

But Keys has hit back and claimed Massey-Ellis did not make those comments towards him.

"No she didn't. She said 'oh come on - it was only banter (her words) I expected it last week at Sunderland'," Keys tweeted.

He continued: "Ms Massey also added 'thanks for not showing the one I cocked up really badly'. I've got a record of it all Sian. Bad move."

Gray and Keys (
Image:
PA)

Speaking ahead of the Premier League match in 2011, Keys - who thought his microphone was off - said: "Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her."

Gray added: "Women don't know the offside rule."

Keys is now a presenter for BeIN Sports and resides in Dubai.

Referee's assistant Sian Massey-Ellis checks the net (
Image:
Getty)
Assistant Referee Sian Massey in action (
Image:
Clive Rose)

Massey-Ellis meanwhile is one of the leading officials in the English game.

She admits women feel like they have a big point to prove, suggesting "you have to be better than a man to be as good as a man".

The official does however believe attitudes in sport are changing, adding that "people woke up to the fact" that women can understand the offside rule.

She will be on the touchline for Blackburn's Championship clash with Preston on Saturday.